Week 4: World Civilizations and the Origins of the International System

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the emergence of the modern international order and the historical context of global power dynamics.

International Order

A global system characterized by interconnected states, economies, and the circulation of ideas, emerging distinctly in the modern era.

Bretton Woods Institutions

Institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) established to regulate international economic cooperation.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

An international agreement aimed at promoting global trade by reducing barriers such as tariffs and subsidies.

Global Transformation

The significant shift from local economies to a global interconnected system marked by increased contact and interdependence since the 19th century.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

Industrialization

The process of converting to a system in which goods are produced using machinery and factories, significantly enhancing productivity and economic growth.

Rational States

States characterized by bureaucratic governance, the consolidation of control, and the enhancement of state powers through organized institutions.

Scramble for Africa

The rapid colonization and political division of Africa by European powers during the late 19th century.

Ecocide

Destruction of the natural environment, particularly due to imperial activities, such as deforestation and resource extraction.

Global Interdependence

The reliance of countries on each other for goods, resources, and services, significantly deepened by globalization.