World Politics Bolded Letters

International Society

Definition: A group of states that interact according to shared rules, norms, and institutions.

Relevance: Shows that international politics is not just competition; states can develop common expectations and cooperate.

International Orders/System

International Orders/Systems

Definition: The rules, institutions, and distribution of power that shape relations between states during a particular period.

Relevance: Helps explain how world politics changes over time, such as the shift from the Westphalian system to the Liberal International Order.

Peace of Westphalia

Definition: A settlement that established state sovereignty and the principle that states control their own territory.

Relevance: Considered the foundation of the modern state system in international relations.

Balance of Power

Definition: A situation where states prevent any one state from becoming too powerful by building alliances or increasing their own power.

Relevance: A key realist concept used to maintain stability and prevent domination.

Hegemon

Definition: A state that is significantly more powerful than others and can shape international rules and institutions.

Relevance: Hegemons often create and maintain international orders.

Spheres of Influence

Spheres of Influence

Definition: Regions where a powerful state exerts significant political, economic, or military influence.

Relevance: Important during the Cold War when the US and USSR competed for influence.

Revisionist State

Definition: A state that wants to change the existing international order.

Relevance: Revisionist states often challenge the status quo and can create instability.

Liberal International Order 1.0

Definition: The international order established after World War I based on:

• League of Nations

• International law

• Collective security

• Norms rather than power

• Sovereignty of all states

Relevance: It was the first major liberal attempt to create peace through rules, cooperation, and collective security rather than balance-of-power politics. Its failure to prevent World War II revealed the weaknesses of early liberalism.

Collective Security

Definition: The principle that an attack on one state is considered an attack on all.

Relevance: A liberal approach to maintaining peace through cooperation.

Sovereignty

Definition: Sovereignty is the principle that a state has supreme authority over its own territory and domestic affairs without outside interference.

Relevance: Sovereignty is one of the foundations of the modern international system. It helps explain why states are considered legally equal and why foreign intervention is often controversial.

Territorial Sovereignty

Definition: The principle that a state has exclusive authority over the people and territory within its borders.

Relevance: Territorial sovereignty is a key norm of both Liberal International Order 1.0 and 2.0 and helps maintain order by recognizing clear borders and limiting external interference.

League of Nations

Definition: An international organization created after World War I to promote peace and prevent future wars.

Relevance: An early liberal attempt at collective security that ultimately failed.

Liberal International Order 2.0

Definition: The international order established after World War II based on:

• United Nations

• International law and international governmental organizations (IGOs)

• Economic interdependence

• Norms and relative power

• Territorial sovereignty of all states

Relevance: Liberal International Order 2.0 combined cooperation and institutions with American power. It created a more stable and durable international system than Liberal International Order 1.0.

USA and Japan In Liberal International Order 1

Importance: Principal actors in parts of the Liberal International Order.

Relevance: Examples of states that benefited from and supported liberal economic and political institutions.

USA and USSR in Liberal International Order 2

Importance: Principal actors in the post-WWII international system and the Cold War.

Relevance: Their rivalry shaped much of modern international relations.

Marshal Plan

Definition: American economic assistance provided to rebuild Europe after World War II.

Relevance: Demonstrates liberal ideas about cooperation, economic interdependence, and stability.

Truman Doctrine

Definition: A US policy promising support to states resisting communism.

Relevance: A key Cold War strategy aimed at containing Soviet influence.

Warsaw Pact

Definition: A military alliance of the Soviet Union and its allies.

Relevance: The Soviet counterpart to NATO during the Cold War.

Brezhnev Doctrine

Definition: The Soviet policy that justified intervention in socialist states to preserve communism.

Relevance: Demonstrates Soviet efforts to maintain control over its sphere of influence.

Realism

Definition: Realism is a theory of international relations that argues states are the primary actors in an anarchic international system and must pursue power and security to survive.

Relevance: Realism helps explain conflict, competition, arms races, and why states prioritize national interests and survival. Key concepts include anarchy, self-help, balance of power, and the security dilemma.

Liberalism

Definition: Liberalism is a theory of international relations that argues cooperation between states is possible through institutions, international law, economic interdependence, and shared norms.

Relevance: Liberalism helps explain the creation of organizations such as the United Nations, the growth of international trade, and how institutions and norms can restrain the use of power and promote peace.

Raison d’Etat (Reason of State)

Definition: The idea that a state's survival and national interest should guide its actions.

Relevance: One of the core foundations of realism.

National Interest

Definition: The goals and priorities a state pursues to ensure its survival and security.

Relevance: Realists argue states prioritize national interests above morality.

State as the Main Actor

Definition: Realism views states as the primary actors in international politics.

Relevance: Explains why realism focuses on governments rather than individuals or organizations.

Anarchy

Definition: The absence of a world government above states.

Relevance: Creates uncertainty and competition among states.

Power

Definition: The ability of a state to influence others and protect its interests.

Relevance: Realists argue power is necessary for survival.

Statism

Definition: The belief that the state is the most important actor in world politics.

Relevance: One of realism's Three S's.

Survival

Definition: The primary goal of every state.

Relevance: States prioritize survival above all other objectives.

Self-Help

Definition: The idea that states must rely on themselves for security.

Relevance: Because there is no world government to protect them.

Security Dilemma

Definition: When one state's efforts to increase security make other states feel threatened, causing them to increase their own security.

Relevance: Helps explain arms races and conflict.

Classical Realism

Definition: A theory that explains conflict through human nature and the desire for power.

Relevance: States seek power because humans naturally seek power.

Neorealism

Definition: A theory that explains conflict through the anarchic structure of the international system.

Relevance: States compete because the system forces them to.

Neoclassical Realism

Definition: A theory combining systemic pressures with domestic factors and leaders' perceptions.

Relevance: Helps explain why states respond differently to similar international situations.

Hegemonic State

Definition: A state with dominant power over others.

Relevance: Can shape the international order and influence global politics.

The Advocates for the bomb in Hiroshima

• It was decisive in bringing
about Japanese surrender
and ending the Pacific
wars

• Many casualties were
avoided in this way

• Other military options
could not have ended the
war as swiftly

• The event has served to
strengthen nuclear taboo

Relevance

• Shows the tension between military necessity vs moral limits on power

• Connects to realism (security, victory) vs liberal/ethical arguments (norms, human rights)

• Illustrates how states justify extreme violence in war

The Opponents for the bomb in Hiroshima

• The war was already won:
peace-negotiations
between Japan and
Moscow

• Targeting cities was
morally wrong

• Other military options had
not been exhausted

• The event fuelled both the
cold war and nuclear
proliferation