Introduction to Government, International Relations, and Global Systems

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering government structures, Canadian federalism, supranational organizations, international law, power dynamics, and electoral systems.

Liberal democracy

A system where leaders are chosen in competitive elections, governments are limited by law, and individual rights and freedoms are protected.

Constitutional monarchy

A state that has a monarch as head of state, but their powers are limited by a constitution, and real political power is usually held by elected officials.

Authoritarian regime

A system where power is concentrated in the hands of one leader or a small group, elections (if they exist) are not truly free or fair, and opposition is often repressed.

One‑party state

A system where only one political party is legally allowed to hold power and opposition parties are banned or tightly controlled.

Theocracy

A system where religious leaders hold political power, and laws are based on religious doctrine.

Prime Minister

The head of government in parliamentary systems who leads the executive, sets policy, and is usually the leader of the majority party in the legislature.

General Secretary / Party Leader

In one‑party states, the leader of the ruling party who often holds the real power.

Federal government (Canada)

The level of government that handles issues affecting the whole country, including defence, foreign affairs, immigration, criminal law, and currency.

Provincial/territorial governments (Canada)

The level of government responsible for regional issues such as health care, education, natural resources, and highways.

Municipal (local) governments

The level of government handling services in cities, towns, and rural areas, such as water, sewage, garbage, and local bylaws.

Supranational Organizations

Bodies that sit “above” individual states where members agree to follow shared rules, which can limit their absolute sovereignty but bring benefits.

United Nations (UN)

Global organization founded after WWII to maintain peace and security, promote human rights, and encourage cooperation; includes the Security Council and General Assembly.

European Union (EU)

Regional political and economic union in Europe where member states share policies on trade, movement of people, and sometimes currency ($euro$).

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance of mainly North American and European states that adhere to the principle of collective defence.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Organization that sets global rules for trade between countries, settles trade disputes, and promotes free trade.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Organization that lends money to countries in financial crisis and offers policy advice, often requiring economic reforms in return.

World Bank

An organization that provides loans and grants for development projects like infrastructure, education, and health in developing countries.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Independent court that tries individuals for serious international crimes like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Domestic policy

Decisions and laws that deal with issues inside a country’s borders, such as health care funding, taxation, and environmental regulations.

Foreign policy

Decisions about how a state interacts with other states and international actors, including treaties, military alliances, and sanctions.

Sovereignty

The principle that a state has authority over its own territory and domestic affairs, and other states should not interfere.

Non‑intervention

A rule that states should not interfere in the internal affairs of other states without consent or UN authorization.

Diplomatic immunity

Protection given to diplomats so they cannot be arrested or prosecuted under the host country’s laws ($lex loci$).

Pacta sunt servanda

A principle of international law stating that formal, legally binding agreements (treaties) must be respected by the states that sign them.

UN Charter

The foundational treaty of the United Nations that prohibits the use of force except in self‑defence or when authorized by the Security Council.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The UN’s main court that settles disputes between states, such as borders and treaty disputes.

Sanctions

Non-military penalties, such as travel bans or asset freezes, used to pressure a state or individuals to change behaviour.

Peacekeeping

The deployment of lightly armed UN forces with the consent of parties to monitor ceasefires and support peace agreements.

Peacemaking

Active efforts to bring hostile parties to agreement, which can include negotiation, mediation, or military force under UN authorization.

Hegemony

A situation where one state has dominant power and influence—military, economic, cultural, or institutional—over others in the international system.

Hard power

The use of military force, economic coercion, or other forms of direct pressure.

Soft power

The ability to shape others’ preferences through culture, values, and attraction, such as through universities or popular culture.

Housing bubble

A situation where housing prices rise quickly due to risky lending practices, which contributed to the 2008 global financial crisis.

Interdependence

The interconnectedness of global finance where local issues, like a housing problem in one country, quickly spread to others through banking links.

Developed countries

States with high levels of income, industrialization, high GDP per capita, and high Human Development Index (HDI) scores.

Global North / Global South

A description of economic and political power distributions between richer, industrialized states and poorer, often formerly colonized states.

First‑past‑the‑post (FPTP)

An electoral system where voters choose one candidate in single-member districts and the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.

Proportional representation (PR)

An electoral system where seats in the legislature are allocated roughly in proportion to each party’s share of the total vote.

Mixed electoral systems

Electoral rules that combine elements of FPTP and PR, where voters may cast ballots for both a local representative and a party list.