international relations exam 2

Global Political Economy (GPE)

Study of how politics and economics interact globally, including states, markets, and individuals.

Liberalism

Belief that free markets generate prosperity when government interference is minimal.

Neoliberalism

Modern form of liberalism emphasizing deregulation, privatization, and reduced state welfare.

Comparative Advantage

States gain by specializing in what they produce efficiently and trading for others.

Invisible Hand

Adam Smith's idea that market self-interest benefits society overall.

Double Movement

Polanyi's idea that society pushes back against unregulated markets through social protections.

Multinational Corporation (MNC)

Company operating in multiple countries, influencing global markets and labor.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Investment by firms in assets abroad to control production or operations.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Institution regulating trade between nations on equal voting terms.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Organization providing loans and financial stability with weighted voting by wealth.

Austerity

Government cuts to spending to reduce debt, often worsening inequality.

Religion

System of beliefs, rituals, and communities centered on the sacred or divine.

Culture

Shared practices, symbols, and values shaping group identity and meaning.

Sacred Ritual

Formal acts (such as prayer or pilgrimage) that express belief and unity.

Sacred Story

Narrative about origins or heroes that gives moral meaning to a group.

Symbols of Group Identity

Objects or icons (flags, dress, monuments) representing belonging.

Identity Politics

Political mobilization based on religion, ethnicity, or culture.

Clash of Civilizations

Huntington's theory that cultural and religious differences drive global conflict.

Dialogue of Civilizations

Khatami's idea that intercultural understanding and dialogue promote peace.

Ambivalence of the Sacred

Appleby's idea that religion can cause both peace and violence.

Constructivism

Theory emphasizing ideas, norms, and identity in shaping political behavior.

Poverty (absolute vs relative)

Absolute: below basic needs; Relative: poor compared to others in society.

Structural Adjustment

IMF or World Bank loan reforms requiring privatization or austerity

Conditionalities

Requirements attached to aid or loans that restrict national policy freedom.

Global Justice

Ethical belief that wealthy states have duties to assist poorer ones.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

UN goals (2000 - 2015) aimed at reducing global poverty.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Broader UN goals (2015 - 2030) linking equality, growth, and environment.

Human Protection

Efforts to shield populations from mass violence or abuse.

Sovereignty

State authority and control within its borders

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

UN doctrine linking sovereignty with a duty to prevent atrocity crimes.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Laws of war protecting civilians and non-combatants.

Genocide Convention (1948)

Treaty outlawing genocide and obligating states to prevent and punish it.

Protection of Civilians (POC)

UN peacekeeping mandate authorizing force to defend civilians.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Court prosecuting individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Humanitarian Action

Aid and relief provided in crises to save lives.

Norm Entrepreneurship

Promotion of new international moral norms by activists or states.

Norm Cascade

Stage when an emerging international norm gains rapid acceptance across states and institutions.

Human Security

Protection of individuals' safety and well-being beyond state borders.

Connectivity

Global linkages through communication, trade, and technology.

Interdependence

Mutual reliance among actors for goods, information, or stability.

Cybersecurity

Protection of digital systems and networks from attack or intrusion

Cyber Power

The ability of a state or actor to use technology and digital networks to achieve strategic goals.

Digital Divide

Gap between those with and without access to digital technology.

Information Warfare

Strategic use of misinformation or propaganda to influence events.

Digital Sovereignty

A state's control over its own digital infrastructure and data.

Balkanization (Splinternet)

Fragmentation of the internet into national or regional systems.

Data Rights

Ethical and legal standards for collecting and sharing data.

Digital Silk Road

China's global digital infrastructure and trade initiative.

Globalization

The process of increasing connections across borders through trade, culture, and communication.

Color Revolutions

Nonviolent protests in post-Soviet states (2000 - 2005) challenging authoritarian regimes.

Umbrella Movement

2014 Hong Kong pro-democracy protests demanding open elections.

Occupy Movement

2011 global protest against inequality and corporate power ("We are the 99%").

Arab Spring

2010 - 2014 uprisings across the Middle East calling for democracy and dignity.

Civil Society

Networks of citizens and NGOs advocating for reform.

Authoritarianism

Concentration of political power in a ruler or small elite with limited freedoms.

Anti-Color Insurance

Regime strategies to prevent uprisings by restricting NGOs, media, or opposition.

Democratization

Transition from authoritarian rule toward democratic governance.

Global Communication Revolution

Spread of digital technology enabling rapid global activism.

Transnational Terrorism

Terrorism operating across borders through global networks.

Globalization's Shadow Side

The dark byproduct of interconnection enabling illicit activity and violence.

Rapoport's Waves of Terrorism

Historical pattern showing terrorism evolving through ideological and technological eras.

Communicative Act

View that terrorism sends symbolic messages to multiple audiences.

Radicalization

Process of adopting extremist beliefs that justify violence.

Security vs Liberty Dilemma

Tension between protecting safety and preserving civil freedoms.

Counterterrorism Legislation

Laws expanding surveillance or state powers to prevent terrorism.

Soft Counterterrorism

Preventive strategies addressing social and economic causes of extremism.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Regulates international trade between member states; operates on a "one country, one vote" system promoting free trade.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Provides loans and promotes global financial stability; voting power weighted by financial contributions.

World Bank

Lends to developing nations for poverty reduction and infrastructure development.

United Nations (UN)

Coordinates international peace, security, and development through global forums and specialized agencies.

United Nations Security Council

Main UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Provides protection and assistance to refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention.

United Nations Development Goals Framework

Coordinates global poverty reduction through Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Permanent court that prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

Ad Hoc Tribunals

Temporary courts (e.g., Rwanda, Yugoslavia) established to prosecute atrocity crimes before the ICC.

African Union (AU)

Regional organization that can intervene to prevent atrocities (Article 4h) and promote regional peace and development.

European Union (EU)

Regional organization integrating economies and laws across Europe; balances market access with social protections.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Regional trade bloc that reduces tariffs and promotes cooperation between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Regional organization promoting political and economic cooperation in Southeast Asia.

MERCOSUR

South American trade bloc focused on free trade and regional integration

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

Non-governmental groups and social movements that advocate for rights, accountability, and reform

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Independent organizations addressing global challenges such as poverty, human rights, and environmental protection.

Women, Peace, and Security Agenda (UNSCR 1325)

UN initiative linking gender equality, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)

Oversees global internet domain names and coordinates web infrastructure.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

UN agency that manages global telecommunications standards and radio frequencies.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Alliance of states committed to collective defense and security cooperation.

Cyber Defense Centres

International hubs coordinating responses to cyber threats and digital security challenges.

UN Internet Governance Forum

UN platform promoting global dialogue on data access, privacy, and internet governance.

Interpol

International police organization facilitating cross-border criminal investigations.

Europol

European Union's law enforcement agency supporting counterterrorism and organized crime operations.

UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF)

Coordinates UN agencies to harmonize global counterterrorism efforts.

National Counterterrorism Legislation

Domestic laws expanding surveillance and intelligence to combat terrorism.

Global Communication Networks

Digital platforms (e.g., Twitter, satellite media) enabling rapid spread of information and activism.

Youth Movements

Student- and youth-led networks that mobilize around global issues such as democracy and social justice.

Samuel Huntington

Clash of Civilizations — argues that future global conflicts will stem from deep cultural and religious divisions between major civilizations.

Mohammad Khatami

Dialogue of Civilizations — promotes intercultural and interfaith dialogue as a path to global cooperation and peace

Scott Appleby

Ambivalence of the Sacred — shows that religion carries the potential for both violence and peace, depending on how it is mobilized.

Jonathan Fox

Scholar who demonstrates that religion's political influence varies across societies — some secularize while others grow more devout.

Peter Singer

Ethical philosopher who argues that wealthy individuals and states have a moral duty to assist the poor when they can do so easily ("rescue case" argument).

Thomas Pogge

Political philosopher who claims that global institutions cause and perpetuate poverty through coercive international systems that favor the wealthy.