International Political Economics Lecture Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to international political economics and global poverty measurements, perfect for exam preparation.

Gini coefficient

A measure of income inequality within a population, scaled from 0 (complete equality) to 1 (complete inequality).

Human Development Index (HDI)

A composite index measuring average achievement in key dimensions of human development: health, education, and living standards.

Oxford Poverty Index

An index that aggregates negative indicators of well-being to measure poverty, where higher values indicate worse conditions.

Comparative advantage

The principle that states should specialize in the production of goods for which they have the lowest opportunity cost and trade for others.

Economic self-sufficiency (Autarky)

A situation where a state produces all it needs without relying on imports or exports, being very reliable but inefficient.

Economic sanctions

Trade barriers enacted to coerce another state into changing its behavior or policy.

Neorealism

A theory in international relations that emphasizes the anarchic nature of the international system and the similarities in motivations and constraints of states.

Neoliberalism (Neoliberal Institutionalism)

The theory suggesting that despite anarchy, states build institutions to achieve security and mutual benefits.

Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs)

Economic policies imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on countries in exchange for financial assistance, often involving austerity measures.

Microlending/microfinance

A financial service that provides small loans to individuals in developing countries, often aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency.

The Four Tigers

Refers to the economies of South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, which rapidly industrialized and experienced high growth rates in the late 20th century.

Structural violence

A form of violence where social structures or institutions harm people by preventing them from meeting their basic needs.

Free trade

The unrestricted flow of goods and services across borders without protective tariffs or regulations.

Official Development Assistance (ODA)

Government aid designed to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.

Labor unions

Organizations that represent the collective interests of workers, often negotiating for better wages and working conditions.

Colonial exploitation

The process by which wealth and resources from colonized regions are extracted for the benefit of the colonizing powers.

Loan forgiveness

The cancellation of debt obligations that a borrower has to a lender, often used as a form of financial aid for developing countries.