DP 1 Global Politics Vocab

All the vocab for IB Global Politics DP1

Sovereignty

 Full right & power of a governing body over itself without interference from outside bodies

Internal Sovereignty

Absolute authority of the state within its own boarders.
ex: control over the ppl in its boarders

Making decisions & enforcing laws

People’s acceptance of the authority of the state and gov.

External Sovereignty

Ability to deal freely with the actors outside your boarders.
Measured with: Economics, balance of power
more globally influential usually have more of this

Legitimacy

An actor or action commonly considered acceptable to the people & provides a basic rationale for all forms of governance & exercising of power
Through the eyes of the people that legitimacy is determined

Sources of Legitimacy

Things that help achieve legitimacy

• History and Tradition: determining acceptable norms and expectation (founding fathers) - it’s rooted in something greater than just a leader saying they rule the state 

• Ideology: Shared key ideas - when challenged people challenge legitimacy of state (fairness of elections / equality existing)

• Growth and development: economic success - unemployment rate rises→ gov. questioned by people

• Leadership: effective competent leaders. Good decisions → legitimacy.

• International recognition: do other countries/orgs. recognize you as a state?
  Identity: strong sense of national culture and pride (not necessary nationalism)

• Freedom and fairness: most democracy’s are inherently more legitimate then other govs cuz people have say. 

• Order and Stability: maintain peace order and societal stability → controling what is happening in your country.

Challenges to state legitimacy from outside:

International recognition
Economic/diplomatic sanctions leading to economic hardships

Transnational crimes (drug and human trafficking, arms smuggling) makes states seem powerless

Global media and information leading to pressure campaign

Comparative governance (negative/unfavorable) 

Legal rulings negative ICJ/ICC rulings impact how leaders are perceived by people + actors.

Power

The ability to influence or control a people or outcomes. 

Hard Power

The use of military or economic force to influence others.
Example: Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine to assert regional dominance.

Soft Power

Using culture, values, and diplomacy to attract or persuade others.
Example: South Korea’s global influence through K-pop and film.

Smart Power

A strategic combination of hard and soft power.
Example: The U.S. combines military alliances (NATO) and humanitarian aid to maintain global influence.

Structural Power

Power derived from controlling systems or structures that shape global relations.
Example: The U.S. dollar’s dominance in global finance gives the U.S. structural power.

Resource Power

Power from control of key resources.
Example: Saudi Arabia’s influence through oil exports and OPEC.

Relational Power

Power based on relationships and influence between actors.
Example: The EU’s trade negotiations with African states.

Cyberpower

The ability to use digital technology to influence or disrupt.
Example: Alleged Russian cyberattacks on Western elections.

Structural Violence

Systemic inequality built into social or political systems that harm people.
Example: Unequal vaccine access between rich and poor countries during COVID-19.

Popular Sovereignty

The legitimacy of a state comes from the will of the people
Ex. the 2019 protests in Hong Kong demanding democratic reform

Self Determination

The right of a people to choose their own political status
Ex. The Palestinians for recognized statehood

Supranationally

Authority that transcends individual states
Ex. the E.U. power to enforce trade and environmental laws.

Transnationalism

Activities or ideas that cross national borders

Ex: Global climate activism by groups like Fridays for Future

Input/Process Legitimacy

Gained through fair participation and democratic processes
Ex. Free elections in Germany

Output/Performance Legitimacy

Gained through effective governance and service deliver
Ex. China’s CCP justifies rule through economic growth. 

Top Down Legitimacy

Authority imposed or justified by elites or rulers
Ex. Saudi Arabia’s monarchy maintains legitimacy via religion and stability

Bottom Up Legitimacy

Authority derived from citizens’ consent or social movements
Ex. Tunisia’s 2011 revolution demanding democracy

Non-State actors

Groups that influence global politics but aren’t governments

Ex. ISIS

Interdependece

Mutual Reliance between actors in global politics
Ex. Global trade ties between US and China

Global Governance

Systems of rules and organizations managing global issues
Ex. UN coordinating climate goals

Globalization

Growing interconnectedness of people and economies
Ex. Tiktok as global cultural platform

UN

IGO promoting peace and cooperation
Ex. UN peacekeeping in South Sudan

Collective Security

States agree to defend one another from aggression
Ex. NATO’s art. 5 mutual defense clause

Strategic Alliances (Econ)

Partnerships for mutual econ. benefit
Ex. BRICS expansion to include Saud Arabia n Iran (2024)

Stakeholders

Actors affected by or involved in political decisions
Ex. Indigenous communities as stakeholders in Amazon deforestation

State

Political entity with a defined territory, population and sovereignty
Ex. Canada

Nation-State

A state whose citizens share a common identity or culture.
Example: Japan.

Government

The system or group exercising political authority.
Example: The UK government led by the Prime Minister.

Political Parties

Organized groups seeking political power through elections.
Example: The U.S. Democratic and Republican Parties.

Political Leaders

Individuals who hold significant decision-making power.
Example: Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine.

Civil Society

Voluntary organizations outside government promoting shared interests
Ex. Greenpeace advocating for environmental protection

Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs)

Organizations formed by states to achieve common goals.
Example: World Health Organization (WHO).

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Independent groups addressing global issues.
Example: Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).

Social Movements

Collective action pushing for social or political change
Ex. Black Lives Matter Movement

Resistance Movements

Groups opposing oppression or occupation
Ex. Ukrainian resistance against Russian occupation

Interest Groups

Organizations lobbying for specific policies
NRA lobbying for gun rights in the U.S.

Political Forums

Spaces for debate and negotiation among political actors
Ex. UN General Assembly Sessions

Media

Channels of communication that shape public opinion and political awareness
Ex. Al Jazeera influencing narratives in the Middle East

Realism

States act in their own self-interest to gain power and security.
Example: Russia’s actions in Ukraine driven by security concerns.

Neorealism / Structural Realism

Global anarchy forces states to compete for survival.
Example: U.S.–China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific.

Liberalism

Cooperation and institutions can create peace and prosperity.
Example: The Paris Climate Agreement.

Neoliberalism

Economic globalization and free markets foster cooperation.
Example: The World Trade Organization promoting trade liberalization.

Constructivism

Politics is shaped by social norms, identities, and ideas.

Ex. Iran’s Shia identity vs. Saudi Arabia’s Sunni identity as a reason for rivalry/tensions

Critical Theory

Questions structures of power and inequality in global politics.
Example: Examining how IMF policies affect the Global South.

Feminist Theory

Analyzes how gender dynamics influence global politics.
Example: UN Women’s advocacy for women’s participation in peace processes.

Marxist Theory

Focuses on class, economic inequality, and exploitation.
Example: Critique of capitalism through global labor exploitation.

Postcolonial Theory

Examines the lasting effects of colonialism on global power relations.
Example: Ongoing economic dependency of African states on former colonizers.