Global Politics - PSLI Key Terms

Soft Power

The ability to make friends and influence people without military might. Through attractive assets, notably culture, education, language and values.

Hard Power

The use of coercion by states/groups to achieve their goals, usually in the form of military force and/or sanctions (economical and political)

Smart Power

The use of influence in some form backed uo with the use of force. Soft power being used with the threat of hard power.

Structural Power

Organizations and different actors working together to address political issues. (UN Security Council membership, heads of state)

Relational Power

How different actors use different relationships to address political issues (alliances, collective civil movements)

Power to

What does one’s power allow them to do or not do?

Power over

What does one have power over and what do they not have power over?

Power with

What resources/actors do you have power with?

Multilateralism

Multiple countries working in concert on a given issue

Minilateralism

Countries only allowing a few other countries to interact with them

Unilateralism

One country working alone on a given issue

Stakeholders

States, IGO, NGO, Private companies, social movements, resistant movements, political parties, interest groups, political leaders, media, citizens

Actors

Those who have the power to bring about change.

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

• Ended one of the most destructive conflicts in Europe’s history (Thirty Years War)

• Set out to prevent future conflict by recognizing that states have certain rights and responsibilities

• Named after Westphalia, an area of north-west Germany

Montevideo Convention (1933)

• Established the standard modern definition of a state as. ameans to preserving peace

• The agreement requires that no state shall intervene in the domestic or foreign affairs of another state

• Agreement signed in Montevideo, Uruguay

State

• An independent government that has control over a clearly defined area — this area must have internationally recognized borders

• Generally being seen as having absolute control over its own territory and people

• Having the right to defend its territory within its borders and being recognized as a state by other states amd actors

• Systems of government, which can be national, regional and/or local, and some kind of legal system being in place

• Having a permanent population

• Having exclusive rights within its own territory including:

  • The use of force

  • Control of the money and currency

  • Laws and other requirements such as taxes and rules surrounding citizenship

Nation State

May have a sovereign territory or they may not

Can exist without a physical homeland and also include members of the nation who are in diaspora (they do not live in their original homeland

With clearly defined borders are somewhat rare (Japan, Albania, Iceland)

Diaspora

A large group of people living somewhere that is not their original homeland. Sometimes these people have moved by choice but other times they may have been forced to relocate

Liberalism

Cooperative world view + believe that states, alongside other actors play an important role in global politics. Concerned with justice, liberty and equality and place great importance on the rights of the individual.

Centre

Nationalism

Belief that every individual must always place the needs of the state above anything else. Individuals must be loyal and devoted to the state. Personal liberty and loyalty to any other institution or group must always come second. 

Right

Fascism

Describes state that has gone beyond nationalist ideas and openly embraces aggression and conflict as a way to assert authority. Targets of this aggression can be marginalized groups within society, sometimes leading to genocide. Usually one powerful leader/political party whose decisions cannot be questioned. Other states may be threatened and fascism often leads to conflict

Far right

Sub-National Government

Entities within a country that are below the national government level but are still part of the state structure

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Two or more states who promise that they will work together on political issues that are common interest to all. Usually operate under a signed treaty, so all states can be subject to international law and can be accountable

Local government

Unit of governance within a nation’s territory that is below the national or central government level, such as state, province, city or municipalityEntities witi

Communism

Politcal and economic system that argues that inequality and injustice are directly tied to capitalism and social classes in society. Private ownership must be abolished and all people must have an equal say in how the state production functions (factories, natural industries, mines)

Far left

Socialism

Political system with strong links to communism that also advocates for a fairer distribution of wealth within society as a way to address injustice and inequality. They argue this can be done within a capitalist society as long as measures are carefully put in place to ensure equality and justice

Left

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

Huge variety of organizations that also aim to help people. Always try to remain independent from any kind of government influence and are usually non-profit.

Social Movements

Groups of people who share a common concern about how society is functioning.

Formal Forums

Regulated and have definitive structure, rules and regulations in place.

Established to provide an opportunity for a range of actors and stakeholders to express their opinions about issues impacting their community or state.

Regulate interactions between actors and tend to produce definitive approaches to political issues

Informal Forums

Gatherings of actors who meet to discuss and debate different perspectives on a political issue. Ranges from a group of residents of a city street meeting to discuss common concerns about crime, to regional or global meetings involving states and non-state actors

World Economic Forum

Informal forum based in Geneva, Switzerland, Hosts an annual meeting, giving it its informal name. Discuss solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems in an informal setting, enabling different people representing different perspectives and skills to debate and propose innovative and creative solutions to global problems

Charitable NGOs

Directed at meeting the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged. May provide food and shelter and help people in times of natural and human made disasters. Generally receivers of help don’t have a role but accept

Service NGOs

Provide people with some kind of service like family planning or education. Receivers of help are expected to actively participate in the process to help themselves

Participatory NGOs

Provide people with tools, land or materials necessary for them to then go on to help themselves and the community

Empowering NGOs

Aim to empower people by helping them to understand their social, political and economic rights as individuals and as communities

Military Power

Often regarded as the ulitmate stick in the realm of hard power. Perceived strength is misleading. An actors [blank] strength is not solely a function of the size of its [blank] weapons or number of troops

Enemy’s resources are an important factor when weighing up the [blank] strength of a state, as well as other contributions from allies/trusted partners

Economic power

No one state is truly dominant and countries can turn to suppliers around the world for essential goods and services meaning [blank] power must be used alongside other states and non-state actors. Countries can also use these diverse sources to evade the use of [blank] power by one state, which in its own way a form of [blank] power

Cultural Power

Can come from parts of a [blank] that gain international prominence and acceptance such as language, fashion, cuisine, art, education or entertainment.

Social Power

Closely connected to cultural power, it extends its influence by establishing [blank] norms and practices.Over time this can change attitudes and behaviours in societies that adopt or adapt to these values or norms.

Cyberpower

Using cyberspace to create advantages and influence events. Includes the internet, computer networks, information technology and all our interconnected digital devices.Many states biew cyberspace as a domain of warfare similar to traditional forms of warfare.

Power

An ability to effect change. Rather than being viewed as a unitary or independent force, it can also be seen as an aspect of relations among people functioning within a social organization. 

Realism

• We live in a world of states working in their own best interests, much like the opponents in a game of chess

• States are the primary actors on the world stage, other actors are not really of much importance

• The world is in a state of anarchy and there is no ‘global governance’ so states must take care of themselves

• The world is a ruthless place where states must aggressively compete against each other to survive and maintain power

Left Wing

Communism, Socialism, Social Democracy
Seeks social justice through redistributive social and economic policies

Right Wing

Fascism, Nationalism, Conservatism
Defends private property and capitalism

Social Democracy

System where the state provides for all citizens by deciding how wealth and services will best be allocated (for those in need). Also concerned with how to best address inequality and injustice and think wealth must not be concentrated in the hands of a few.

Conservatism

Argue that traditions and cultural norms, sometimes religious beliefs, are the foundation of a society. Individuals are responsible for their own welfare and the actions of the state do not go far beyond protecting the lives of its citizens.

Democracy

Located at the centre of the political spectrum, sandwiched by dictatorships

Political Parties

Groups of people who have common views on how the state should function, often having a political leader; which can be assigned or elected.

Civil Societies

Groups not linked to the government but share a common purpose

Private Actors

Those who have the ability to make large scale change through their influence

Private Companies

Motivated by profits
Based on economists, governments are now privatising state owned businesses for efficiency

Resistance Movements

Oppose the government for change, can be either peaceful or violent

Interest Group

An organized group of people aiming to change public policy

Joseph Nye’s Theory

Argues hard and soft power should be combined into smart power in order for a countries objectives to be best achieved

First Face of Power

The ability to get others to comply through direct, observable conflicts and decisions

Second Face of Power

The power to be able to control an agenda, the face of non-decision making

Third Face of Power

Shapes people’s preferences and desires to conflict with their original interests (Developed by Lukes)

Sovereignty

States should have control of their territories and states should respect each others independence.
- Liberals argue that in an interdependent world, it is diminishing.
- Realists argue that the state still remains the most important actor.
- The idea of it was violated during the colonial era.

Postcolonialism

Although the colonial era is over, the world still experiences its effects through social disparity and policies that are shaped with European perspectives.

Sovereignty & Force

Sovereign states should have the monopoly on the use of force as the state would otherwise fall into chaos, including the presence of a judicial system. States can also use force to protect themselves when sovereignty is breached.

Sovereignty & International Laws

IGOs make rules that benefits people's peace and security, they are often binding as they are seen as an international code of conduct.

Internal Sovereignty

The authority of a state within its own borders, having secure structures and systems of ruling (that may not be internationally accepted)

External Sovereignty

A state's ability to act independently when dealing with other state actors.

- A rogue state disrupts international order

- A failed state has lost its internal ability to govern

Supranationality

Seen as 'above the state' and challenging internal sovereignty through majority rules. This can be decided by weighing the advantages of being in a specific group (Ex. Brexit)

Indigenous Land Claims

The declaration of land challenges external sovereignty by stating a state’s defined area is incorrect

Transnational Cultural Groups

Challenges sovereignty as individuals still feel tied to their homeland and may not comply with the rule of law imposed

Transnational Companies

Challenge sovereignty by motivating changes that are beneficial for society they come from

Legitimacy

The acceptance of a state's right to rule over a body.
- Shaping social values
- Policymaking
- Behaviour with the state
- Continuous acceptance

Max Weber

Believes that those who have power to rule were granted this power by those they have power over

Rule of Law

Everyone is subject to the same law no matter their status in society, enforced through checks & balances

Input Legitimacy

The manner which a state acquires power, either appointed or elected

Output Legitimacy

How well a state exercises the power it has on the fulfillment and well-being of their people.

Top Down Legitimacy

Authorities achieve control through the regulation on flow of information, suppression of dissent and legal processes that concentrate power

Bottom Up Legitimacy

Legitimacy that emerges from the broader participation of society and their agency in political power (referendums, open elections and forums). Risks tyranny of the majority and undermines minority perspectives.

Moral Legitimacy

The idea of having a moral high ground

Realist Legitimacy

There is no moral basis on which to judge the difference between legitimate and illegitimate uses of power. Rather authority and power are essentially coequal, whoever has power has the right to command (All according to Machiavelli)

Domestic Legitimacy

The acceptability of an actor to rule as determined by domestic actors, such as the population or political parties

International Legitimacy

The acceptability of an actor to rule, determined by the international community

Procedural Legitimacy

The acceptability of an actor to rule based on its institutionalized patterns or decision making & implementation

Value Based Legitimacy

The acceptability of an actor to rule based on its prioritzation of specific topics

Role Based Legitimacy

The acceptability of an actor to rule based on the specific trust placed on the institution

Interdependance

Mutual reliance among and between groups, organizations and geographical areas to allow for access to resources and sustain living arrangements.

Global Governance

The systems and institutions of decision making and cooperation among state and non state actors that facilitate collective action on global issues.
- Establishes international laws created by states that everyone is bound to.

Globalization

Promoted by rapid changes in technology, accelerates communication and transportation, encouraging independence

Hybrid Multilateralism

An approach to global governance which involves increased participation from non-state actors and civil societies. As seen in UNFCCC to include more cooperation from more than just state actors.

International Law

Created with:
- Treaties
- Customary practices
- General principles of law
- Judicial decision recommending made by highly qualified individuals

Customary International Law

Is not written or codified, but exists through practices that are accepted

Treaties

Formal and written binding agreements between nations

General Principles of Law

Cross-cultural principles of morality and common sense

UN Charter

Sets out rights and obligation of member states and outlines goals for IGO

UN General Assembly

Make recommendations for peaceful settlement, discuss issues relating to peace and security, request studies, receive and discuss reports, elect non-permanent members for councils.

UN Security Council

Authorizes peacekeepers and try to enforce peace for what is morally correct. Can use military power when necessary, an example of global governance.

International Court of Justice

Court established to settle disputes between members of the UN

UN Development Programme

Focus on sustainable development, democratic governance and peacebuilding and climate disaster relief. (Development and Sustainability)

UN Secretariat

The UN’s executive branch, led by the secretary-general and acts as civil service

Trusteeship Council

Helped prepare 7 countries to move out of colonial rule, current activities have been mainly suspended

Interaction in Global Governance

- The EU is one of the most integrated IGOs
- Multinational corporations further extend influences on global governance through their ability to direct help or harm states.