The State, Power, and Tools of Statecraft in International Relations

Flashcards covering key terminology and concepts related to the state, power, and statecraft in international relations.

State

An organized political unit with a geographic territory, a stable population, and a government to which the population owes allegiance.

State Power

The ability of a state to influence behavior and control outcomes.

Military Power

The most important aspect of power used by states to maximize influence and security.

Economic Power

Includes a state’s industrial, agricultural, demographic, and territorial potential, serving as a basis for military power.

Soft Power

Influence through attraction and persuasion, relying on culture, political values, and engagement.

Hard Power

Influence through coercion, relying on military force, payments, and economic sanctions.

Statecraft

The techniques used by states to exert influence in international relations, including diplomacy, economic statecraft, and force.

Diplomacy

The art of influencing the behavior of others through negotiation and bargaining.

Isolationism

A foreign policy orientation of minimizing political or military involvement with other countries.

Compellence

The use of threats or force to get a target state to do something it has not done.

Deterrence

Threatening punishment to prevent a state from taking an undesired action.

Transnational Movements

Movements that seek political power across national borders, often challenging states.

Fragile States

States that fail to perform vital functions like protecting their people, often harboring internal and external threats.

Smart Sanctions

Targeted sanctions that focus on specific individuals or groups to reduce humanitarian costs.

Realism

A theory emphasizing coercive power techniques and the use of force in international relations.

Liberalism

A theory supporting a broad range of power techniques and preferring non-coercive alternatives.

Constructivism

A theory positing that foreign policy decisions are influenced by norms and a country's strategic culture.