international politics

Anarchy

the absence of a central authority above states in the international system. It is important because it shapes how states behave under conditions of uncertainty and self-help.

National interest

a state's goals and priorities, often centered on security and survival.

Rationalism

A belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.

Rational actor

a model that assumes states make decisions by weighing costs and benefits to maximize their interests.

Social constructivism

argues that international politics is shaped by shared ideas, norms, and identities, not just material power.

Balance of power

refers to efforts by states to prevent any one state from becoming too powerful.

Self-help

the principle that because in international anarchy all global actors are independent, they must rely on themselves to provide for their security and well-being.

Deterrence

the strategy of preventing aggression by threatening retaliation.

Human nature (realist view)

seen as self-interested and power-seeking. This assumption helps explain why conflict is recurring in international politics.

Liberal sovereignty

idea that supreme political authority resides in individuals—not the state—who grant limited power to government to protect their rights. focuses on individual liberty

Democratic peace

the theory argues that democracies are unlikely to fight one another. It is a core claim of liberal internationalism.

International institutions

formal organizations or rules that structure cooperation among states. Liberals argue they reduce uncertainty and facilitate cooperation.

Identity

refers to how states understand who they are in relation to others. It influences interests and behavior beyond material power.

Territorial state

a political unit defined by control over a specific territory. Its emergence transformed international politics by formalizing borders and authority.

Nation-state

a sovereign, independent political entity (state) inhabited by a relatively homogeneous group of people (nation) who share a common culture, language, history, or ethnicity

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence over other territories through diplomacy or military force.

Bandwagoning

a strategy in which states join forces with the stronger side in a conflict

Internal vs. external balancing

involves strengthening a state’s own capabilities, while external balancing involves forming alliances. Both are strategies states use to respond to threats.

Relative gains

refers to concerns about how much others benefit compared to oneself. Realists argue this concern makes cooperation difficult.

Bipolarity

a system dominated by two great powers. It is often considered more stable than multipolar systems due to clearer lines of rivalry.

Multipolarity

refers to a system with three or more great powers. Realists associate it with instability due to alliance uncertainty and miscalculation.

Collective action problem

occurs when individuals or states benefit from a public good but prefer not to contribute. It explains why cooperation is difficult without institutions.

Free riding

when actors benefit from cooperation without contributing. It is a central obstacle to collective security and institutions.

Bureaucratic politics

model of decision-making where policy outcomes emerge from bargaining and competition among governmental officials, agencies, and departments, rather than a single rational choice.

Logic of appropriateness

explains behavior as rule-following based on social roles. It contrasts with rational cost–benefit calculation.

Social facts

exist because people collectively believe in them. Examples include sovereignty and money.

Institutional isomorphism

describes how states become more similar through interaction and socialization. It explains convergence in state behavior.

Thucydides Trap

the dangerous, often violent, structural tension that occurs when a rapidly rising power threatens to displace an established, ruling power.

Melian Dialogue

the realist claim that power, not morality, governs international politics.

Machiavellian realism

emphasizes survival, power, and political necessity over morality.

Nationalism

ideology that links political authority to a shared national identity. It transformed the international system by creating nation-states.

Sovereignty

principle that states have authority over their territory without external interference

tit-for-tat

matching what opponent does, maximizes gains minmizes loses

Game theory

models strategic interaction between actors whose outcomes depend on each other’s choices. It helps explain cooperation and conflict in international politics.

Prisoner’s dilemma

shows how rational actors may fail to cooperate even when cooperation would benefit both.

Game of chicken

models situations where actors risk mutual harm to force the other to back down.

Free riding

occurs when actors benefit from others’ cooperation without contributing.