International Relations Theories and Key Terms: Midterm Review

Balance of Power

A core principle in international relations and political science where nations or groups of nations match their military, economic, and political strength against one another so that no single state becomes powerful enough to dominate the rest.

Bi-Polar World

A system of international relations where global power, influence, and military strength are concentrated around two dominant superpowers or rival blocs.

Bureaucratic Politics Model of Decision-Making

A framework in political science and public policy that views government decisions as the result of bargaining, negotiation, and compromise among competing officials and agencies, rather than as the rational choice of a unified actor.

Cold War

A state of severe political, economic, and ideological tension and rivalry between nations that is fought through indirect means—such as propaganda, espionage, arms races, and proxy wars—rather than direct military combat.

Collective Security

An international relations arrangement in which a group of sovereign states agree that an attack on any single member is an attack on all, prompting a joint response to deter or repel aggression.

Democratic Peace Theory

Democratic states rarely, if ever, go to war with one another.

Dependency Theory

A macro-level perspective in economics and international relations which argues that resources flow from a 'periphery' of poor, underdeveloped states to a 'core' of wealthy, industrialized nations, enriching the latter at the expense of the former.

Détente

The easing of strained relations, hostility, or political tension between countries.

Deterrence

The act or process of discouraging an individual, group, or nation from taking an unwanted action by instilling fear, doubt, or the threat of a severe penalty or consequence.

Geneva Conventions

A series of international treaties and additional protocols that form the core of international humanitarian law—the rules that limit the cruelty and suffering of war.

Hegemon

A dominant leader, country, or group that holds exceptional political, economic, or military power to control or influence others.

Imperialism

A state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending a country's power and dominion over other territories and peoples, typically through direct territorial acquisition, military force, or political and economic control.

Jus ad Bellum

The branch of international law that defines the legitimate conditions under which a state may resort to war or the use of armed force.

Jus in Bellum

The body of international rules and humanitarian principles that govern how parties must conduct themselves during an active armed conflict.

League of Nations

The first worldwide intergovernmental organization created to promote international cooperation, achieve peace and security, and prevent future global conflicts.

Mercantilism

An economic theory and nationalist policy from the 16th to the 18th centuries in which governments heavily regulated trade to maximize exports, minimize imports, and accumulate precious metals like gold and silver.

MNCs

Multinational corporation (or multinational company), which is a business that owns or controls the production, sales, or service of goods in at least one country outside its home country.

Multilateralism

A system of international relations where three or more countries coordinate policies, share responsibilities, and work together through shared rules and institutions to solve global problems.

Multi-Polar World

An international system where global power is distributed among three or more major states or regional blocs rather than being dominated by a single superpower (unipolar) or two competing superpowers (bipolar).

Nation-State

A sovereign political unit where a centralized government rules over a population that shares a common national identity, culture, language, or history.

NATO

An intergovernmental political and military alliance consisting of 32 member states from North America and Europe.

NGOs

A non-profit, voluntary group that operates independently of any direct government control.

NPT

A landmark international agreement opened for signature in 1968 and entered into force in March 1970 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, promote peaceful cooperation in nuclear energy, and advance nuclear disarmament.

Organizational Process Model of Decision Making

A framework that explains decisions as the output of established bureaucratic routines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and pre-existing institutional structures rather than the deliberate choices of a single, all-knowing leader.

Rational Actor Model of Decision Making

A theoretical framework stating that individuals evaluate options and make choices to maximize personal benefit and minimize costs based on their self-interest and clear objectives.

Relative Gains

The benefits or power a state or entity achieves compared to a rival or partner, rather than looking at its own growth in isolation.

Realists

Prioritize relative gains. They view the world as a zero-sum game. If a rival gains more from a deal, that power gap can turn into a future security threat.

Liberals / Neoliberals

Prioritize absolute gains. They believe cooperation is worthwhile if everyone ends up better off overall, even if one side benefits more than the other.

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

A global political commitment endorsed by all United Nations member states at the 2005 UN World Summit. It shifts the concept of national sovereignty from an absolute shield for governments to a responsibility to safeguard their citizens.

Security Dilemma

A concept in international relations where actions taken by one state to increase its own security—such as building up the military, placing troops on alert, or forming new alliances—cause rival states to feel less secure.

Smart Sanctions

Also known as targeted sanctions—are precision-focused economic and diplomatic measures designed to penalize specific decision-makers, leaders, entities, or sectors responsible for violations of international law while avoiding widespread harm to the general civilian population.

Smart Sanctions Goal

To exert maximum political and economic pressure on political elites and bad actors while maintaining moral legitimacy and minimizing collateral humanitarian suffering.

Sovereignty

Supreme, independent authority and lawmaking power over a territory and its people, free from external control.

Terrorism

The calculated use or threat of unlawful violence and intimidation against civilians, property, or governments to instill fear and achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives.

Forms of terrorism

Domestic, international, revolutionary, originated from Reign of Terror, usually associated with non-state actors now.

Treaties of Westphalia

A series of peace treaties signed in May and October 1648 in the Westphalian cities of Münster and Osnabrück.

Unipolar World

An international system where a single state holds the majority of global power, military might, economic influence, and cultural dominance.

Warsaw Pact

The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance was a political and military alliance established on May 14, 1955, by the Soviet Union and seven Eastern Bloc socialist republics during the Cold War.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Any nuclear, biological, chemical, radiological, or high-explosive weapon capable of causing widespread death, severe injury, or massive damage to people, property, or the environment.

Realism

A political theory viewing global politics as a system driven by state power, survival, and national self-interest rather than moral ideals.

Classical realism

Explains global politics, state behavior, and conflict through human nature and an anarchic international system.

Neorealism

A school of thought that explains why countries act the way they do on the global stage.

Defensive Neorealism

States seek a stable balance of power, enough strength to defend themselves.

Offensive Neorealism

Anarchy incentivizes states to constantly maximize power and seek regional hegemony.

Liberalism

A core theory that views global politics as capable of cooperation, economic interdependence, and peaceful dispute resolution rather than endless power struggles.

Classic Liberalism

Rooted in Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Adam Smith, emphasizing individual rights, free markets, and trade as a pacifying force.

Liberal Republicanism

Inspired by Immanuel Kant's Perpetual Peace, which envisioned a 'pacific union' of republican states bound by constitutional law and international federation.

Neoliberal Institutionalism

Focuses on how formal and informal international regimes help states overcome the 'anarchic' system by reducing transaction costs and enforcing commitments.

Kantian Triangle

According to liberals, these three pillars—international organizations, democracy, and economic interdependence—reinforce one another to create a more stable, predictable, and peaceful world order.