Politics T4

International law 

refers to a body of rules established by custom or written legal agreements that are accepted as binding upon the international community and that apply to all global actors; written legal agreements, such as treaties, are only binding to those who give consent through explicit ratification.

Rules-based order 

refers to the set of structured relationships, expectations and behaviours that have evolved and dominated the operation of global politics since World War II; it is rooted in economic and political liberalism and extends into international law, regional security arrangements, trade agreements and immigration protocols. 

States 

a political unit that has a permanent population, defined territory, a distinct government and recognised sovereignty; states are traditionally considered the central actors in global politics. 

Nations  

a large group of people united by common cultural traits, shared history, language, and a collective identity, often with aspirations for self-determination or sovereignty

Sovereignty 

is the legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control over matters in a particular area, or within particular borders. 

Liberal democracy 

refers to a form of democracy in which the power of government is limited and counterbalanced by the rights and freedoms of individuals, which are protected by constitutions, established norms and institutions. 

Authoritarianism

is an approach to politics that favours using strong, centralised power to enforce the status quo and ensure obedience to authority, typically at the expense of personal freedoms. 

Ideology

refers to interrelated sets of values and beliefs around how things are and how they should be. 

Global governance 

refers to the loose framework of global rules and regulations upheld by the founding of permanent international institutions, the codification of international law and the establishment of international norms (values and principles that inform global standards and expectations).