IB Global Politics - Unit One

Hard Power 

A state or group attempts to coerce others to do what they want. Most often, targeted states or groups are aware that they are being forced into the behavior. Targeted states usually less powerful than the coercing nation 

Soft Power

State or group attempts to use persuasion or influence. The targeted state may or may not be aware that they are being manipulated. An example would be China’s use of development aid in africa & other countries, resulting in favorable deals accessing natural resources 

Smart Power

An approach that balances elements of both hard & soft power. Effective diplomacy usually employs smart power: matching persuasion w the threat of coercion

Structural Power

The means by which states affect global politics, usually by promoting a model of politics that they favor such as, democracy or capitalism

Relational Power

applying power ( hard,soft,smart) to a country with which it has a relationship: threats & rewards, controling the agenda, establishing preferences

Unipolar

One hegemonic, disproportionately, powerful nation over everyone else

Bipolar

Two roughly equally powerful nations, reluctant to challenge each other

Multipolar

Power is spread among many nations and non-state actors

Kenneth N Waltz & John Mearsheimer: Realism

• emphasizes the role of the nation-state based on assumptions of conflict over cooperation

• Assumes that nation-states are motivated by national interest 

• Assumes that nations will want to ensure the success of their own nation or group at the expense of others

Joseph Nye: Liberalism

• Liberals believe that international institutions play a key role in cooperation among states.

• With the correct international institutions, and increasing interdependence (including economic & cultural exchanges), states have the opportunity to reduce conflict 

• International organizations play a large role international relations 

Sovereignty

States are classified as sovereign if they are independent entities not controlled by other territories or entities. They are political entities governed by a single form of government. Some distinguish between internal & external sovereignty.

Sovereignty defined by Max Webber

a monopoly on legitimate violence

Internal Sovereignty

there has to be an agreement within the nations’s population that the state is legitimate and the holders of the will of the people

External Sovereignty

refers to the capacity of the state to act independently and autonomously 

Sovereignty: Realist

Sovereignty is an “absolute, inviolable principle”—except when it isn’t. The key is “ national interest.” The Bush Doctrine of the mid 200s is an example of a realist approach to sovereighty

Sovereignty: Liberals

Sovereignty is an “important but not exclusive principle” in international relations. The principle of Responsibility to Protect would be an example of a factor liberals might argue should influence intervention. 

Democracy

Governments are elected in a free and fair process with universal access to participation among adults. Some are highly centralized, others decentralized, with strenghts and limitations to all democratic models. 

Authoritarian

Not elected or accountable to the population/ The people have no means to influence or remove the government / Human rights abuses are likely and the rule of law is not respected.

Fragile States

Can be any official form of government but internal sovereignty is weak. In many cases fragile states cannot control even the most fundamental aspects of governing. Often the result of economic collapse, internal political strife and civil war. 

Monarchy

In a monarchy the king holds sovereigh power until death or abdication. The governing power of the monarch may vary from symbolic, to partial and restricted, to fully authoritarian. Examples include: The UK (largely symbolic) and Saudia Arabia, where the royal family has great power.

Theocracy 

Power is held by a ruling faction of religious leaders. Policies are decided upon based on religious standards. Examples include: the taliban, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 and resulted control in the sumer of 2021and the government of Iran, ruled by the islamic supereme leader and the shura councill in Saudia Arabia

Unitary States

A national government with even stronger powers reserved to the national government. The national government is more likely to set policy that directs and influences citizens at the local level. This is the most common system with 165 of 193 UN member states using a unitary system 

World Trade Organization (WTO)

An IGO concerned with the regulation of international trade. It is the largest international economic organization. The WTO deals w regulation of trade in goods, services, and intellectual property between participating countries by providing framework for negotiating trade agreements and a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participants adherence to WTO agreements.

International Monetary Fund

Loans & guidance to developing nations in exchange for economic reforms.

World Bank

Conducts development research & offers funding for projects indeveloping nations. The Bank gives particular attention to projects that can directly benefit the poorest people in developing countries.

Economic Power

The ability of an individual, group, or nation to influence & control economic outcomes through factors like wealth, production, trade, and access.

Military Power 

a nation’s ability to project force, encompassing its armed forces, defense spending, and capabilities in areas like nuclear tech, advanced weaponary, and global logistics

Diplomacy 

Negotiations and dialogue between states to manage relations peacefully

Cyber Power 

Ability to use digital technology to influence or disrupt others

GDP ( Gross Domestic Product)

total economic output of a country; indicator of economic strength

Development Aid

Financial or technical assistance given to support development in poorer countries 

Jamal Khashoggi

Saudi journalist whose 2018 murder highlighted sovereignty, human rights, and global accountability

Federal

System dividing power between central & regional governements (US)

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

Established modern concept of state sovereignty and noninterference

Montevideo Convention (1933)

Defined statehood: permanent population, territory, government, and capacity for foreign relations.

Max Webber

Defined the state as having a “ monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force”

Alexander Wendt

Constructivist theorist; argued that ideas shape state behavior and promoted the concept of global governance 

Global Governance

Globalization

Increasing interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures

The Great Recession (2008)

The global economic downturn is showing how economies are interdependent.

The Greek Debt Crisis

European financial crisis demonstrating economic interdependence within the EU

Trade Wars

Economic conflicts where countries impose tariffs or restrictions on each other.

European Union (EU)

Regional IGO promoting political and economic integration in Europe 

Communal Action Problem 

Situations where individuals self-interest conflicts with collective good ( e.g, climate change)

Number Of Actors Problem

The more actors involved, the harder it is to reach cooperation

Free-Rider Problem

When some actors benefit from collective action w/o contributing

The Tragedy of the Commons 

overuse of shared resources when individual act in self-interest

UN Security Council

UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security

UNSC Resolution 1701

Resolution calling for ceasefire between Isreal and Hezbollah

UN Human Rights Council

UN body promoting and protecting human rights worldwide

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Military alliance for collective defense among member states 

Global Governance

System of rules, norms, and institutions managing global issues cooperatively

Strategic Alliance

Agreements between states or organizations to cooperate for mutual benefit 

International Court Of Justice (ICJ)

UN’s main judicial body that settles legal disputes between states

Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)

8 global goals (2000-2015) to reduce poverty and improve human welfare 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’S)

17 global goals (2015-2030) to end poverty and promote sustainability 

Balance Of Power

Distribution of power to prevent any one state from dominating

Constitutions

Foundational legal frameworks defining government structure and citizens’s rights

Rule of Law

Principle that everyone, including leaders is subject to the law 

International Law

Rules and agreements governing relations between states

Perspectives on Terrorism

Different views on what constitutes terrorism and how to respond to it

States

Political units w defined territory, permament population, government, and recongnized sovereignty ( e.g, US, China)

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Companies operating in multiple countries that influence global economies and politics (e.g, Amazon, Meta)

Nongovernmental Orginazations (NGOs)

Independent organizations that address global issues like human rights or the environment (e.g, WWF, Human Rights Watch)

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)O

Organizations formed by states to promote cooperation on issues (e.g, UN, WTO, EU)

John Mearsheimer (Structural Realist Theorist)

Believes international relations are driven by states seeking power and survival in an anarchic system

Joseph Nye (Liberal Theorist)

Created the concept of soft power—influence through attraction rather than coercion

Liberalism

Theory emphasizing cooperation, international institutions, and interdependence to achieve peace

Realism

Theory focusing on state power, competition, and conflict as inevitable in an anarchic world

Constructivism

Theory that global politics is shaped by ideas, identities, and norms—not just material power

Great Power Competition 

Rivalry among the world’s most powerful states ( e.g, US vs China) for global influence