Global Political Systems and Power Structures

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, institutions, ideologies, and concepts from the lecture on global political systems and power structures.

Global Political System

The network of formal and informal arrangements through which power is distributed and exercised among states and international actors on a worldwide scale.

Supranational Organization

An institution whose member states delegate some sovereignty to pursue common policies and rules (e.g., the European Union).

United Nations (UN)

Global organization founded in 1945 to maintain peace, security, and cooperation among its 193 member states.

UN Security Council

UN body of 15 members (5 permanent, 10 rotating) responsible for international peace and security; can authorize sanctions or military action.

UN General Assembly

Deliberative body of all UN member states that debates issues, passes non-binding resolutions, and oversees the UN budget.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Institution that sets and enforces rules of global trade, lowers trade barriers, and resolves disputes among its members.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Financial institution that promotes monetary stability, lends to countries with balance-of-payments problems, and conducts economic surveillance.

World Bank

International institution providing long-term loans and assistance for development projects and poverty reduction.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance of mainly Western states committed to collective defense under Article 5 of its 1949 treaty.

European Union (EU)

Political and economic union of European states with common laws, a single market, and a shared currency for many members (the euro).

G7

Informal forum of seven advanced economies that coordinates policy on finance, security, and global issues.

G20

Group of 19 major economies plus the EU that meets to discuss global financial stability, growth, and development.

BRICS

Coalition of emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa—seeking greater influence in global governance.

African Union (AU)

Pan-African organization promoting integration, peace, and development across the African continent.

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations; regional bloc advancing economic, political, and security cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about how power should be organized, used, and justified within a society or state.

Liberalism (IR)

Ideology emphasizing democracy, rule of law, free markets, and individual rights in domestic and international affairs.

Realism (IR)

School of thought focusing on state sovereignty, national interest, and power competition in an anarchic international system.

Marxism / Neo-Marxism

Analytical approach viewing global politics through class struggle, imperialism, and capitalist exploitation.

Constructivism

Theory stressing that international politics is shaped by ideas, identities, and socially constructed norms rather than only material power.

Nationalism

Belief prioritizing a nation’s sovereignty, culture, and self-determination; can be cooperative or exclusionary.

Globalism / Globalization

Perspective and process emphasizing interconnectedness, reduced national barriers, and integrated global markets and governance.

Populism

Political approach framing politics as a struggle between ‘the people’ and ‘the elite,’ often skeptical of institutions.

Environmentalism

Ideology advocating ecological protection, sustainability, and climate action in domestic and global policy.

Nation-State

Sovereign state whose citizens are relatively homogeneous in language, culture, or common identity.

Sovereignty

Supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Democracy

Government system in which power resides with the people, exercised directly or via elected representatives.

Authoritarianism

Regime type where power is concentrated in one leader or small elite, with limited political freedoms.

Totalitarianism

Extreme authoritarian system seeking total control over public and private life, enforced by ideology, surveillance, and repression.

Monarchy

Government led by a hereditary sovereign, ranging from symbolic constitutional forms to absolute rule.

Theocracy

State governed by religious leaders or based on religious law.

Oligarchy

Rule by a small, usually wealthy or powerful, elite group.

Hybrid System

Government combining democratic elements (elections) with authoritarian traits such as weak institutions or limited freedoms.

Hard Power

Ability to influence others through coercive means like military force or economic sanctions.

Soft Power

Capacity to shape preferences of others through attraction—culture, values, and diplomacy—rather than force.

Hegemony

Dominance of one actor that sets rules and norms for the international system through superior power and influence.

Superpower

State capable of projecting comprehensive military, economic, political, and cultural power globally and independently.

Global North

Collective term for highly industrialized, wealthy countries primarily in Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia.

Global South

Group of developing countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East facing historical and structural disadvantages.

Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)

IMF- and World Bank-linked loan package requiring policy reforms such as austerity, privatization, and trade liberalization.

Power Structure

Arrangement determining who holds authority and how influence is distributed within or among political entities.

UN Peacekeeping

Deployment of UN-mandated forces to conflict zones to maintain ceasefires, protect civilians, and support political transitions.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

UN agenda of 17 global goals adopted in 2015 to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.