Global Politics Vocab Study Set

Political Actors

People, groups, or movements that hold political influence or participate in the political process.

Ex: Greta Thumberg as a climate activist influencing global climate policy debates.

Stakeholders

Groups or individuals directly affected by or invested in political outcomes.

Ex: Indigenous communities as stakeholders in debates over the Amazon rainforest's protection

State

A sovereign political entity with defined borders, population, and government.

Ex: France is a state recognized by international law.

Nation-State

A state where the population shares a common national identity.

Ex: Japan is often seen as a nation-state due to shared culture and identity.

Government

The institutions and leaders responsible for making and enforcing laws in a state.

Ex: The Biden administration in the U.S. government.

Political Parties

Organized groups competing in elections to influence governance.

Ex: The Democratic and Republican parties in the U.S.

Political Leaders

Individuals who guide or shape a nation's political direction.

Ex:Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Civil Society

Non-governmental organizations and groups representing citizen voices.

Ex: Fridays for Future, a youth-led climate activism movement (2018-present).

Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs)

Organizations formed by states to cooperate on international issues.

Ex: The United Nations (UN) or NATO.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Independent, non-profit groups working on humanitarian, political, or social issues.

Ex: Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) providing aid in Gaza (2023-24).

Private Actor

Corporations, businesses, or individuals influencing global politics outside the state.

Ex: Elon Musk's SpaceX impacting warfare in Ukraine by providing (and limiting) Starlink access.

Social Movements

Large groups of people pushing for social or political change.

Ex: Women-led protests in Iran after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini.

Resistance Movements

Organized opposition to governments, occupations, or policies.

Ex: Sudanese resistance committees organizing against military rule since 2021, or Palestinian resistance movements against Israeli occupation.

Interest Groups

Organizations lobbying governments to promote specific interests.

Ex: The National Rifle Association (NRA).

Political Forums

Platforms where global issues are debated and negotiated.

Ex: The U.N. General Assembly.

Media

Outlets that distribute information and influence public opinion.

Ex: CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera.

Realism

States prioritize power and security in an anarchic world. Where they act primarily in their own self-interest to gain power and security.

Ex: Russia's invasion of Ukraine (2022) as pursuit of security and influence.

Neorealism

International system structure (balance of power) determines state behavior.

Ex:U.S.-China competition seen as inevitable in a multipolar world system.

Liberalism

Emphasizes cooperation through international law and institutions.

Ex: The European Union promoting peace through cooperation.

Neoliberalism

Belief in free markets, globalization, and limited government intervention in economics.

Ex: World Trade Organization promoting global free trade

Constructivism

Global politics shaped by shared norms, ideas, and identities rather than just power.

Ex: International ban on chemical weapons shaped by shared norms, not just power balance.

Critical Theory

Seeks to challenge structures of inequality and oppression in world politics.

Ex: Movements questioning global capitalism and inequality.

Feminist Theory

Analyzes how gender inequalities shape global politics.

Ex: Women activists leading peace negotiations in Yemen

Marxist Theory

Focuses on class struggle and economic inequality under capitalism.

Ex: Criticism of Amazon's global labor practices and worker exploitation.

Postcolonial Theory

Studies how colonial legacies still affect modern global politics.

Ex: Caribbean nations demanding reparations for colonial slavery at the 2023 UN Assembly.