global politics of inequalities

Inequality

the uneven distribution of resources, opportunities, wealth, income, or power among individuals or groups within a society

Poverty

a condition in which individuals or groups lack sufficient income or resources to meet basic human needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

Flag independence

a situation where a former colony gains formal political independence and its own national symbols (such as a flag), but remains economically, politically, or culturally dependent on former colonial powers or external actors.

nation

a group of people who share a common identity, often based on culture, language, history, ethnicity, or shared political aspirations.

state

a political entity with defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and sovereignty over its territory.

which continent experienced formal decolonization last

africa

In which decade(s) did formal decolonization take place across much of Africa?

1950s and 1960s.

fallacy of electoralism

the mistaken belief that holding elections alone is sufficient to make a country democratic, even when civil liberties, accountability, and genuine political competition are weak or absent.

Structuralism

argues that political, economic, and social outcomes are shaped largely by broader structures—such as capitalism, class systems, colonial legacies, and international economic relations—rather than by individual choices alone.

Military aid

refers to assistance given to strengthen a country’s armed forces, such as weapons, training, or defense funding

Development aid

refers to assistance intended to promote economic growth, welfare, infrastructure, education, or healthcare

Comparative advantage

the principle that countries should specialize in producing goods or services they can produce relatively more efficiently than others, and trade for the rest.

Three types of authoritarian regimes

Military regimes

One-party regimes

Personalist dictatorships

International armed conflicts

occur between two or more states

Intra-state armed conflicts

occur within a single state, usually between the government and non-state groups or among rival groups

proxy war

a conflict in which external powers support opposing sides indirectly—through funding, weapons, or training—rather than fighting each other directly.

13. Three examples of military regimes in the Global South include:

• Myanmar under military rule after the 2021 coup

• Chile under Augusto Pinochet (1973–1990)

• Nigeria during several periods of military rule in the late 20th century

middle income country

a country whose average national income falls between low-income and high-income categories according to international measures such as those used by the World Bank.