International Relations and Human Rights Concepts

A comprehensive set of flashcards summarizing key concepts in international relations and human rights.

Anarchic System of States

A model of world politics where states operate without a higher central authority, making force an acceptable means to resolve disputes.

Peace of Westphalia (1648)

Accords that ended the Thirty Years War and established the principle of sovereign states with no recognized superior authority.

Sovereignty

The principle that states accept no political authority as superseding their own, allowing self-determination and representation.

State

A political entity defined by territory, population, government, and a monopoly on legitimate force.

Nation

A social group sharing common descent, culture, language, or territorial contiguity, distinct from a legal state.

Nation-state

A construct uniting the cultural identity of a nation with the structural organization of a state.

Nationalism

A collective identity among members of a nation, often promoted by the state to ensure loyalty.

Liberalism

An international relations theory favoring cooperation among states and the role of non-state actors.

Idealism (Utopianism)

A perspective emphasizing cooperation over conflict, advocating disarmament and education.

Realism

A theory portraying world politics as a struggle for power, seeing conflict as necessary for national interests.

Woodrow Wilson

U.S. President who promoted Idealism and authored the Fourteen Points advocating for the League of Nations.

Principle of National Self-Determination

The right of a nation to govern itself without external interference, central to Wilsonian idealism.

League of Nations

An organization formed post-WWI to adjudicate disputes and maintain peace, notable for its declaration on children's rights.

Balance of Power

A theory in international relations suggesting states act to prevent any single state from dominating through power equilibrium.

Bipolarity

A power distribution in international relations centered on two major superpowers.

Cold War

An ideological conflict between the U.S. and USSR characterized by a lack of direct military engagement.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, founded to unite Western allies against perceived Soviet threats.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of communist states formed to counter NATO during the Cold War.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

A confrontation arising from Soviet missile placement in Cuba, nearly resulting in nuclear war.

Containment

U.S. strategy aimed at preventing the spread of Soviet influence and communism.

Détente

A period of improved relations and agreements between the U.S. and USSR during the 1970s.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts where superpowers support rival factions in local wars to avoid direct confrontation.

Multipolarity

An international system where power is distributed among multiple states or entities.

Demise of the Nation-State

The view that globalization undermines the power of states to govern their territories effectively.

Intergovernmental Organization (IGO)

International bodies that facilitate cooperation and communication among states.

Supranational Entities

Organizations that operate above national governments, such as the European Union.

International Law

Regulations governing relations among sovereign states, derived from treaties and customs.

Complex Interdependence

The interconnectedness of states and non-state actors measured by sensitivity and vulnerability.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of European countries allowing free movement and common currency.

United Nations (UN)

Founded after WWII to promote peace and human rights, currently aiding millions globally.

General Assembly

The principal representative body of the UN where all member states have equal voting power.

Security Council

The UN's main decision-making body with the power to maintain international peace and security.

5 Permanent Members (P5)

The five UN Security Council members with veto power: U.S., U.K., France, China, and Russia.

Secretariat

The administrative body of the UN, led by the Secretary-General.

ECOSOC

The Economic and Social Council coordinating UN efforts on economic and social issues.

UNESCO

The UN agency focused on education and cultural issues globally.

UNICEF

An agency dedicated to children's rights and welfare across the world.

WHO

The World Health Organization focused on global public health issues.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The UN's judicial arm resolving disputes between states.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Prosecutor of individuals for serious crimes like genocide.

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Weapons such as chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear, with devastating effects.

Deterrence

Preventing aggression through the threat of severe consequences.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

A nuclear strategy where any attack results in total annihilation of both parties.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

An agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament.

Manhattan Project

The WWII U.S. program developing the first atomic bombs.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Japanese cities bombed by the U.S. in 1945, leading to massive civilian casualties.

IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency promoting peaceful nuclear energy.

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (1996)

An agreement to prohibit all nuclear testing globally.

Dirty Bomb

A device used to disperse radioactive material using conventional explosives.

Iran, North Korea, Syria

Countries of concern regarding nuclear proliferation.

Terrorism

Use of violence by non-state actors against civilians for political goals.

Goals of Terrorists

To achieve political or ideological aims, often involving recruitment and retaliation.

Costs of Terrorism

Includes significant loss of life, psychological harm, and economic disruption.

Jacobin Reign of Terror (1792-1794)

Historical period of political violence that contributed to modern terrorism concepts.

Asymmetrical Power

Dynamic where small entities use terror against larger, more powerful state forces.

Osama bin Laden

Founder of al-Qaeda, advocating for nuclear capability as a religious duty.

Al-Qaeda

A terrorist organization responsible for global attacks, including 9/11.

Taliban

Fundamentalist group that previously governed Afghanistan, linked to al-Qaeda.

Hezbollah

Iranian proxy group involved in regional conflicts.

Types of Terrorism

Categories including domestic, nationalist, religious, narco, and state terrorism.

USA Patriot Act (2001)

Law expanding governmental powers to enhance counter-terrorism efforts.

Counterterrorism

Strategies and actions by states to prevent terrorist activities.

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. agency focused on national security and counter-terrorism efforts.

ISIS

Islamic State aiming to establish a caliphate, notorious for brutality.

Natural Law and Natural Rights

Philosophies asserting inherent human rights regardless of legal systems.

Enlightenment Declarations

Documents asserting individual rights, influencing modern human rights concepts.

U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights (1789)

Foundational documents safeguarding individual freedoms against government overreach.

Legal Rights

Rights that can be enforced through legal systems.

Positive Rights

Entitlements to specific resources or services.

Negative Rights

Rights requiring others to refrain from specific actions.

Categories of Rights

Includes civil, political, social, and economic rights.

Universal Human Rights

Concept that all humans possess basic rights irrespective of identity.

UN Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948

A resolution outlining global human rights standards, albeit non-binding.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Chair of the committee drafting the UDHR and advocate for human rights.

1966 Covenants

International agreements aiming to protect civil and economic rights.

CEDAW (1979)

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

A.Q. Khan

Pakistani scientist involved in nuclear technology proliferation.

Malala Yousafzai

Nobel laureate promoting girls' education and survivors of Taliban violence.

Memory Banda

Activist for raising the legal marriage age in Malawi.

Bogaletch Gebre

Activist who fought against female genital mutilation in Ethiopia.

Joseph Kony

Leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, wanted for war crimes.