Intro to Core Topics: Vocabulary List Textbook Pages: 21-75

Power

The ability to influence behavior, decisions, or actions, or to accomplish something. Example: Indonesia uses its role in the G20 to influence international discussions about economic development.

Hard Power

The use of coercion, especially military or economic pressure, to influence another actor. Example: Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 demonstrates the use of military force to achieve political aims.

Soft Power

The ability to influence others through attraction, including culture, values, education, and diplomacy. Example: Japan's anime, cuisine, and tourism attract global audiences and encourage interest in Japanese culture.

Smart Power

The combination of hard power and soft power to achieve political goals. Example: India combines naval security activities with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to build influence in the Indian Ocean region.

Structural Power

The ability to shape the rules, institutions, norms, and structures within which other actors operate. Example: The International Monetary Fund's lending conditions can influence the economic reforms and budgets of countries that borrow from it.

Resource Power

Power that comes from possessing valuable resources, such as money, natural resources, military strength, technology, or population. Example: The Democratic Republic of the Congo's cobalt reserves give it importance in the global electric-vehicle battery supply chain.

Relational Power

Power that comes from relationships between actors and the ability to influence another actor through those relationships. Example: Qatar's communication channels with different sides of regional conflicts have given it influence as a diplomatic mediator.

Cyberpower

The ability to influence or exercise power through cyberspace, digital technology, and online networks. Example: North Korean-linked hacking groups have stolen cryptocurrency, using digital networks to generate money for the state.

Structural Violence

Harm produced by social, political, or economic structures that create unequal opportunities and disadvantages for certain groups. Example: The kafala labor system in some Gulf countries has left migrant workers with fewer protections and less bargaining power.

Sovereignty

The authority and independence of a state to control its territory and govern its people without outside interference. Example: Brazil's government has authority to make and enforce laws throughout its territory without being governed by another state.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that political authority comes from the people. Example: Mexico's 2024 presidential election allowed voters to choose Claudia Sheinbaum as their president.

Self-Determination

The right of a people to decide their own political status and choose how they are governed. Example: Scotland's independence movement argues that Scottish people should be able to decide whether Scotland becomes an independent country.

Internal Sovereignty

A state's authority to govern people and control affairs within its own borders. Example: Ghana's government sets and enforces national laws within Ghana.

External Sovereignty

A state's ability to act independently when dealing with other states and international actors. Example: Ireland independently chooses its foreign policy and can enter international agreements with other countries.

Supranationality

A system in which states give some authority to a higher collective institution that can make decisions affecting its members. Example: Countries using the euro share monetary policy through the European Central Bank.

Transnationalism

Connections and relationships that cross national borders. Example: Filipino communities living abroad maintain family relationships, cultural traditions, and financial connections with the Philippines.

Legitimacy

The belief that a government or authority has the right to rule. Example: Senegal's 2024 presidential election and transfer of power helped demonstrate how constitutional procedures can support acceptance of a new government.

Input/Process Legitimacy

Legitimacy that comes from how decisions are made, including participation, representation, elections, and fair procedures. Example: Taiwan's vTaiwan consultation process has brought members of the public and experts into discussions about proposed digital policies.

Output/Performance Legitimacy

Legitimacy that comes from a government's ability to achieve successful results and provide effective services. Example: Singapore's public housing system and public transportation demonstrate how delivering services can help a government gain public support.

Top-Down Legitimacy

Legitimacy that comes from institutions or authorities above the population, including international recognition. Example: International recognition of Somalia's federal government strengthens its standing as the country's official government.

Bottom-Up Legitimacy

Legitimacy that comes from ordinary people's support and participation, including elections and public involvement. Example: Bangladesh's mass protests in 2024 showed how widespread public opposition can undermine a government's legitimacy.

Non-State Actors

Actors that are not states or governments but can still influence global politics. Example: Greenpeace campaigns for environmental policies and pressures governments and companies to change their behavior.

Interdependence

A situation in which states or other actors rely on one another. Example: Countries sharing the Mekong River depend on cooperation because upstream dam decisions can affect water supplies, farming, and fishing downstream.

Global Governance

The systems, institutions, rules, and processes through which state and non-state actors cooperate on global issues. It is not the same as a world government. Example: The Paris Agreement provides a framework for countries to make climate commitments and report their progress.

Globalization

The increasing connection of countries and people through trade, technology, communication, and cultural exchange. Example: Spanish-language television series such as Money Heist reach audiences around the world through international streaming platforms.

United Nations (UN)

A major intergovernmental organization that promotes international cooperation, peace and security, development, and human rights. Example: The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus monitors the buffer zone between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides.

Collective Security

An arrangement in which states cooperate to respond to threats to their shared security. Example: The Combined Maritime Forces brings together participating countries to coordinate naval operations against piracy and other threats to shipping around the Gulf of Aden.

Strategic Alliances (Economic)

Agreements between countries to increase trade, investment, and shared economic interests. Example: The African Continental Free Trade Area aims to reduce trade barriers and increase trade among African countries.