IB Global Politics Unit 1 - Power, Sovereignty and International Relations

Unit 1 terms and case studies

Hegemony

The leadership or domination of one system over another

Liberalism

Is a political philosophy based on the rights of the individual, consent to be governed, private property and equality

Realism

A theory that looks at the state’s struggle for power and security where they only act in their self interest. Here there is no global authority enforcing rules.

State actor

A government or state body

Non-state actor

A person or group that has some political influence but is not associated with a country or state.

Thucydides Trap

When a rising power threatens a hegemony, there will most likely be war.

Hard power

The ability to get others to act in a way they did not initially want to. Ex: Economic sanctions, military threats, invasion

Soft power

The ability for a country to persuade others to do what they want without force or coercion. Ex: Diplomacy, Interdependence, shared values

Smart power

A combination of soft and hard power in the right amounts at the appropriate time

Sovereignty

Characterizes a state’s independence, control over it’s territory and ability to govern itself.

Legitimacy

An actor or action that is considered by most to be acceptable. Legitimacy of a state depends on the citizen’s and international community’s acceptance of its rule.

Globalisation

Is the process where the world’s local, national and regional economies are becoming increasingly interconnected. It refers to a reduction of barriers as people and goods flow more freely between countries. It has been happening for decades but has started to increase more recently due to developments in things like transportation, technology and cheaper energy costs.

Equality

Egalitarian theory based on a concept where all people and groups have the same intrinsic value. Closely linked to justice and fairness as egalitarians argues they cannot exists without equality. Also linked to liberty in recent times as people have different possibilities to be free.

Authoritarianism

A political system that concentrates power to one leader or group of elites that is not constitutionally responsible for the people. The leaders exercise their power without regard for the law and cannot be replaced by and election.

Failed State

Unable to perform the two functions of a sovereign state, project authority over its people and territory and protect its national boundaries.

Political issue

Any question that deals with how power is distributed and how it works within social communities are how people engage with it and how it matters in the wider context of the world.

Interdependence

The mutual reliance among states or organisations that allows for access to resources or sustain living

UN general assembly

Main policy making part of the UN including all member states

UN Security Council

Purpose of ensuring international peace and security. Makes recommendations to the UN.

UN Economic and Social Council

In charge of coordinating the economic and social fields of the UN’s organisations.

UN Trusteeship Council

Ensures that trust territory is given with the best interest of the inhabitants in mind and with international peace and security.

UN International Court of Justice

Is supposed be a place where international disputes can be peacefully settled or situations can be dealt with that could be a breach of peace.

UN Secretariat

Administrative body that prepares the session the bodies of the UN

Marxism and Conflict Theory

Conflict theory is that social order is kept with domination, not through consensus and conformity. This theory says those with power and money will use any means to hold onto it, mainly suppressing the poor.

NATO

Intergovernmental, transnational military alliance with 32 member states.