Global Politics Theories

Flashcards about Sovereignty in global politics, Realism, and Liberalism theories.

State Sovereignty

Fundamental principle that establishes a state's autonomy over its territory, population, and internal affairs.

Traditional Notion of Sovereignty

The idea of a nation-state system morally traced through European history to the Peace Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, where authority is limited to the territory they can control.

Realism

A theory of global politics based on the assumptions that states are the primary actors, seek to increase national power for survival in an anarchic international system.

Statism

The concept that states are the only actors in international relations that matter.

Survival

The key interest of state actors is to increase national power.

Self-Help

There is no central authority above the state; thus, the international system is anarchic.

Classical Realism

Belief that humans are by their very nature selfish and competitive

Structural Realism

Focuses on the anarchic nature of the international system which causes states to behave the way they do; states are forced to be competitive rather than cooperative.

Offensive Realism

A state should maximise their power known as hegemony.

Defensive Realism

States should balance their power relative to other states.

Liberalism

The idea that the spread of democracy globally will lead to a more peaceful and cooperative world.

Complex Interdependence

The way liberals understand the world - the idea that states and non-state actors are interconnected in multiple ways making them mutually dependent on each other.

Sources of Sovereignty

The ability of a state actor to govern its own affairs without external interference. This ability of the state to exercise power comes from two sources: International law and norms, and Possession and the use of force.

Sovereignty Equality

Guarantees equal participation of all states in international relations (in theory)

Possession

The physical control a state has over their territory.

Use of force

The right of states to use force against each other within its own borders.