International Relations, Warfare, Colonialism, and Political Institutions Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering international relations, intelligence, military terms, colonialism, humanitarian aid, and political systems from the lecture sheets.

Diplomatic immunity

The legal protection given to members of the diplomatic service preventing them from being prosecuted under host country laws.

Diplomatic pouch

A sealed bag or container used to transport official diplomatic correspondence between a foreign mission and its home country.

Mole

A covert intelligence agent or spy embedded deep inside an opposing organization.

MI5

The counter-intelligence and internal security agency of Britain.

MI6

The external intelligence agency of Britain responsible for foreign espionage operations.

Single European Market

An economic zone within the European Union designed to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor.

European Parliament

The directly elected parliamentary body of the European Union composed of Euro-MPs (MEPs).

Schengen Agreement

A treaty establishing a border-free zone with free flow of movement among participating European countries.

Conscript

An individual compulsorily enrolled into military service by state mandate.

Non-commissioned officer (NCO)

A military officer who has been promoted from the enlisted ranks rather than receiving a formal commission.

Garrison

A military force stationed at a specific fort, base, or city to protect and defend it.

Court martial

A specialized military court for trying members of the armed forces accused of violating military law.

Vanguard

The frontline portion or leading unit of an advancing military force.

Rearguard

A body of military troops assigned to guard and defend the rear of a main force.

Conscientious objector

A person who refuses on moral or religious grounds to serve in the armed forces or bear arms.

AWOL

An acronym standing for 'absent without official leave' from military duty.

Metropolis

The home nation or governing central state of a colonial empire.

Dominions

Self-governing colonies operating within the British Empire.

Triangular Trade

A historical multilateral trade network between Europe, Africa, and the Americas involving the transatlantic forced transport of enslaved people.

Maroons

The name given to runaway enslaved people in the Americas who escaped plantations.

Human Poverty Index

A statistical indicator used to measure levels of deprivation and living conditions within a population.

Subsistence agriculture

Farming aimed primarily at growing basic food crops to meet the immediate needs of the farmer and family.

Cash crop

An agricultural crop produced specifically to be sold on the market for monetary profit rather than local consumption.

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

A non-profit, voluntary group organized independently from government to provide aid, services, or humanitarian relief.

Coup (d'état)

A sudden, illegal, and often military seizure of governmental power from a head of state or regime.

Bipartisanship

Political agreement, collaboration, or compromise between two major political parties.

Grassroots

The foundational base of ordinary members within a political party or social movement.

Constituency

A specific electoral district or body of voters represented by an elected official.

Turnout

The proportion or percentage of eligible voters who participate and cast ballots in an election.

Landslide

An overwhelming victory won by a large margin of votes in an election.

Logrolling

The political exchange of favors, such as trading votes to ensure the passage of proposed legislation.

Impeachment

A formal legislative proceeding in which high-ranking public officials are charged with official misconduct.