Intro to Core Topics: Vocabulary List

Intro to Core Topics: Vocabulary List Textbook Pages: 21-75

Power

The ability of an actor to influience others, make decisions, or achieve desired outcomes in politics

The United States uses its economic and military influence to affect decisions made by other countries

Hard Power

Using force, threats, or economic pressure to make another actor change its behavior

The United States imposes economic sanctions on Russia to pressure it over its actions in Ukraine

Soft Power

The ability to influence others through attraction, culture, values, and diplomacy rather than force

South Korea using K-Pop, Korean films, and TV dramas to increase its cultural influence around the world 

Smart Power

Combining hard power and soft power to achieve political goals effectively

China's investments in developing countries. China gives large loans to gain economic control over countries (hard power) & China also offers to build hospitals, schools, and roads to create a good reputation and allies (soft power)

Structural Power

The ability to shape the rules, systems, and structures that determine how other actors operate

Wealthy countries such as the United States show structural power through the International Momentary Fund (IMF), where larger financial contributions translate into more voting power and control over global policies.

Resource Power

The influence an actor gains from possessing resources such as money, natural resources, military equipment, or technology

Saudi Arabia uses its large oil reserves to gain influence in global energy markets

Relational Power

The ability of one actor to influence another actor's decisions or behavior through their relationship

The United States relies on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to manufacture semiconductors used by American technology companies. Since the United States depends heavily on these chips, Taiwan's critical role in manufactoring semiconductors strengthens its strategic relationship with the United States

Cyberpower

The ability to use digital technology, computer networks, and cyberspace to influence or control other actors

A U.S. cyber operation introduced a computer virus into Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, it physically destroyed centrifuges without firing a single missile. This shows cyber power as they digitally sabotaged a sovereign state's critical nuclear infastructure and disrupted its military capabilities through a single computer virus.

Structural Violence

Harm caused by social, political, or economic systems that create inequality and prevent people from meeting their basic needs

In Flint, Michigan, residents were exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water after government decisions and faliures in water treatement led to lead in the water. Harming residents and threatening their health.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern its territory and make its own decisions independently

Canada makes its own laws and controls its own national government without being governed by the United States

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that political power ultimately belongs to the people, who give the government its authority

In the United States, citizens vote in presidential elections to help choose their next national leadership

Self-Determination

The right of someone or a nation to decide their own political future and determine how they will be governed without external interference

Palestinians seek self-determination through their pursuit of an independent state

Internal Sovereignty

A states authority to make and enforce laws and exercise control within its own borders

The Canadian government enforces Canadian laws throughout its territory

External Sovereignty

A state's ability to act independently and manage its relationship with other states without outside control

Japan independently negotiates trade agreements and diplomatic relations with other countries without outside states controlling what they do

Supranationality

A system in which states give some decision-making authority to an organization above the national level, whose decisions can sometimes take priority over national decisions.

Members of the EU share decision making powers with EU institutions, and some EU laws take priority over conflicting national laws in states covered under EU law

Transnationalism

Connections and activities that cross national borders and involve people, organizations, or businesses in differnet countries

A multinational company such as Apple designs their products in the United States, but works from suppliers & manufacturers from China and different countries

Legitimacy

The belief that a government or political actor has the rightful authority to exercise power

The United States government has a lot of legitimacy due to being a constitutional democracy where the people elect the president, but also because it runs off of defined laws and amendments

Input/Process Legitimacy

Legitimacy gained through a fair political process, public participation, representation, and transparent decision-making

Ireland's Citizens' Assemblies, where they debate referendums on topics such as abortion and climate change. Ordinary citizens are randomly selected to voice preferences and shape policies in their own state, this makes Ireland's government more legitimate because the citizens actually have a voice.

Output/Performance Legitimacy

Legitimacy gained when a government successfully delivers results, such as security, economic stability and public services

China's operates as a one-party state so it lacks input/process legitimacy, but it has rapid GDP growth, massive infrastructure, low poverty, and large scale green energy. Citizens accept the rule without elections and have a lot of trust in the system so it is classified as very legitimate based on output/performance.

Top-Down Legitimacy

Legitimacy that comes from the authority of leaders, institutitions, or established traditions and is accepted by the population

Expert-driven policies during the early state-mandated COVID-19 lockdowns that were regulated by public health experts and institutions (CDC, FDA, etc.) creating rules.

Bottom-Up Legitimacy

Legitimacy that comes from the support, consent and participation of ordinary people

Student-led protests in Bangladesh forced the Prime Minister to leave office after weeks of demonstrations. This demonstrates bottom-up legitimacy because public participation and pressure challenged the government's authority. 

Non-State Actors

Individuals or organizations that influence global politics but aren't governments acting as states

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) which was a coalition of NGO's, pushed for the UN Treaty on the disallowment of nuclear weapons, showing how non-state actors influence global politics

Interdependence

A situation in which countries, organizations, or people depend on one another for resources, security, trade or other needs.

The United States depends on Taiwan for semiconducter manufacturing while Taiwan relies on American technology, investment, and customers, this shows how both states economies depend on eachother

Global Governance

The systems, rules, and institutions through which states and non-state actors cooperate to address global problems

Many countries adopted the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016, they have continued working together refining it through international negotiations, this shows how countries cooperate through agreements to address issues like climate change.

Globalization

The growing connection between countries through trade, technology, communication, and cultural exchange.

The EU has continued integrated its 27 countries through its single market, allowing goods, services, money, and people to move freely across European borders.

United Nations (UN)

An international organization founded in 1945 that brings countries together to promote peace, security, human rights and international cooperation

The United Nations has coordinated humanitarian assistance in Gaza, such as giving food, clean water, medical care and emergency shelters for Palestinian civilians.

Collective Security

An arrangement in which states cooperate to respond to threats to peace and security, treating aggression against ONE MEMBER as a concern against MULTIPLE MEMBERS promting a more unified and collective response

NATO increased its military presence in Eastern Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine, this demonstates collective security because NATO members cooperated together to deter potential threats to the security of alliance members

Strategic Alliances (Economic)

Agreements between countries to cooperate economically and advance shared interests through trade, investment, or reduced trade barriers

The United States, Mexico, and Canada implemented the USMCA trade agreement in 2020, demonstrating how they cooperated together to create shared trade rules and reduced trade barriers.