Global Governance & the Multipolar World

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering foundations of the modern state, globalization, international organizations, multipolar alliances like BRICS, and the role of global civil society.

Peace of Westphalia ($1648$)

The historical event credited with formulating the modern principles of sovereignty and territoriality, ending religious wars among major European powers and birthing the modern state system.

Territoriality

A core principle of the modern state system defined as a specific governed portion of the earth's surface.

Sovereignty

The absolute power to govern a specific territory.

Montevideo Convention

An agreement establishing that a state must have a defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Anarchic (International System)

A characteristic of the international system meaning it is composed of independent states with no central authority ruling above them.

Political globalization

The process defined by Heywood and Whitham where policy-making responsibilities are passed from national governments to international organizations.

Governance

According to the Commission on Global Governance, the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, both public and private, manage their common affairs.

Hyperglobalizer

A perspective arguing that globalization, driven by global capital markets, has led to the decline of the modern state.

Globalization sceptic

A perspective arguing the state remains highly relevant and powerful, controlling critical domestic affairs like education, infrastructure, and immigration.

Transnational Corporations (TNCs)

Non-state actors that wield massive financial power and challenge traditional state sovereignty by their ability to easily relocate production and investment.

The Big Five (P5)

The permanent members of the UN Security Council including the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France, who possess veto powers.

UN General Assembly

The "parliament of nations" that grants political equality to all members, providing a platform for developing countries to shape world affairs with a single vote each.

UN ECOSOC

A body of $54$ members that promotes higher standards of living and oversees the World Bank, IMF, WTO, WHO, and UNESCO.

G20

The forum that catalyzed a shift from the G8 after the $2007-2009$ global financial crisis to coordinate a $500\text{ billion}$ global reflation program.

BRICS alliance

A mechanism for leading regional powers to search for a multipolar world order and counter Western unipolar dominance and coercion.

New Development Bank (NDB)

An institution established by BRICS to provide loans and bypass the outsized Western influence found in the World Bank.

Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)

An arrangement established by BRICS to address currency crises and ensure equal voting shares among members, countering the IMF's weighted voting power.

De-dollarization

The goal among BRICS nations to reduce dependence on the US dollar in international trade by facilitating the use of local currencies.

Global civil society groups

Voluntary and non-profit making autonomous associations, such as NGOs and trade unions, that operate independently of government.

Deficit of integrity

One of the five democratic deficits where voters lose trust in political parties due to widespread sleaze, nepotism, and corruption.

Deficiency of reach

A democratic deficit where crucial decisions affecting everyday life are made in global forums outside the scrutiny of national legislatures.

Surveillance/control (NGO role)

The function where NGOs collect and disseminate sensitive information to hold governments and international organizations accountable.

Transparency

A pillar of good governance promoted by CSOs by informing citizens how powerful institutions make decisions and demanding public access to documents.

Rule of Law

A concern for global social justice CSOs because international law is often weak and subservient to national legislatures.

Coalition for an International Criminal Court (CICC)

A group that coordinated NGOs to provide legal expertise, translation services, and broker compromises during the negotiations of the Rome Conference.

Corporate social responsibility

Policy engagement by TNCs to protect their reputation and brand image from the loss of customers and investors resulting from immoral behavior.

Representativity (NGO)

A quality defended by NGOs as being based on speaking with deep expertise and accurately representing facts rather than the size of a membership base.