Global Politics Key Terms

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from global politics, governance structures, and international relations as outlined in the provided lecture notes.

Alliance politics

The negotiation of interests, responsibilities, and strategies among allied states; reveals tensions between national sovereignty and collective action in maintaining global order.

Authority*

The official or legal right to exercise power and make binding decisions; granted through constitutional provisions, legislation, or democratic mandate in the Australian political system. > Formally granted.

E.g: The Prime Minister of Aus, exercises executive authority, as outlined by Australian Constitution.

Or police officers has authority to enforce the law.

Burden-sharing

The expectation that alliance members contribute proportionally to collective defence and security operations; a source of tension between global actors regarding fair distribution of military and financial responsibilities.

Causes and consequences

The examination of why political events occur (causes) and their resulting impacts (consequences) on states, global actors, international order, and populations; central to analysing global politics.

Cohesion

The strength and unity of an alliance or international organization; critical for effective collective action and maintaining credibility as a global actor in addressing security challenges.

Energy markets

Global systems for trading oil and gas that link economic interdependence with security concerns; disruptions demonstrate how states use economic leverage as a source of power in international relations.

Federalism*

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units,

such as states in Australia, each with their own responsibilities and autonomy.

local Gov has control over bins, parks,

Global interconnectedness*

The increasing linkages between states through trade, technology, communication, migration, and shared challenges; creates both opportunities for cooperation and vulnerabilities to global shocks.

E.G → Paris agreement, 196 parties legally committed and cooperated to shared emissions reductions countries, to address climate change.

Ideology*

A comprehensive set of political beliefs and values that shapes how actors view the world and approach governance; examples include liberalism, authoritarianism, socialism, which influence state behaviour and international relations.

E.G → US follows conservatism,

Legitimacy*

The acceptance and recognition by other states and populations that a government, institution, or action has the right to exercise authority; essential for maintaining international order and effective governance.

is the beliefs that a person’s power and authority are justified and should be excepted

EG → Government

Nation*

A group of people sharing common identity based on culture, language, history, or ethnicity; may or may not correspond with state boundaries, creating potential for conflict or nationalist movements.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a key example of collective security and a major global actor that demonstrates how international organizations can shape responses to security threats and maintain international order.

Parliamentary sovereignty*

Parliament, as represented by elected officials,  have the most authority. They have the ability to change laws made by previous parliaments, however they cannot make laws that cannot be changed in future.  

Participation*

The involvement of citizens in political processes through voting, joining political parties, protesting, contacting representatives, or engaging in civic activities; essential for democratic accountability.

EG → Electoral: Voting in local, state, and federal elections,

Activism & Protests:

*Political interests

The goals, objectives, and priorities that states and global actors pursue in international relations; may include security, economic prosperity, territorial integrity, or regional influence.

Political perspectives*

Different viewpoints or ideological positions on political issues, such as progressive vs. conservative, or liberal vs. authoritarian; shape policy preferences and political debate.

Political significance*

The importance or impact of an event, decision, or development on power relations, international order, state sovereignty, or the behaviour of global actors; assesses why something matters in global politics.

Political stability and/or change"*

The degree to which a political system maintains continuity and order (stability) or undergoes transformation in institutions, policies, power structures, or constitutional arrangements (change); both can be gradual or rapid.

Political trust

Confidence among global actors that partners will uphold commitments and act predictably; essential for effective multilateral cooperation and alliance stability.

E.G →

Popular sovereignty*

The principle that political power ultimately resides with the people, who exercise it through elections and democratic participation; the foundation of representative democracy in Australia.

EG → Democratic elections: in which all citizens over 18 exercise their right to vote for representatives to stand for their interests in Parliament – consent of the government.

Power

The ability of a state or global actor to influence the behaviour of others and achieve desired outcomes; can be exercised through military force (hard power), economic influence, or diplomatic and cultural means (soft power).

Regional conflict

A dispute or war confined to a specific geographic area that can escalate to involve global actors, demonstrating how local conflicts can challenge international order and test the role of global institutions.

Responsible government *

means that the executive government is drawn from Parliament and is accountable to it. Ministers in Government must therefore answer any questions and justify their decisions, maintain the confidence of those seated in the Lower House.

example: in Parliament, ministers in the government must maintain support of the majority which is more than 50%+1 in the house of reps.
Ministers in Gov must therefore answer any questions, justify their decisions and maintain confidence of those seated in LH. :question time

Separation of powers*

The division of government functions among three branches—legislature (makes laws), executive (implements laws), and judiciary (interprets laws)—to prevent concentration of power and protect against tyranny.

Shifting power dynamics

The transition from unipolar to multipolar power distribution; reflects changing sources of power (military, economic, technological) and challenges to the liberal international order as new powers emerge.

Sovereignty*

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference; a fundamental principle of the international order that can be challenged by humanitarian intervention, international law, or global governance.

State*

A political entity with defined territory, permanent population, government, and capacity to enter into relations with other states; the primary actor in international relations.

Strait of Hormuz

A critical maritime chokepoint demonstrating the intersection of geography, energy security, and global power; disruptions here illustrate how regional conflicts can have global economic and political consequences.

Strategic partnership

A formal or informal cooperative relationship between states based on mutual interests, often involving security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated foreign policy approaches.

Western alliance

A network of liberal democratic states (primarily US, Europe, Australia) united by shared values, collective security arrangements, and commitment to the rules-based international order.