Intro to Global Politics & Political Theory

Intro to Global Politics & Political Theory: Vocabulary List Textbook Pages: 2-20 & 76-91

Political Actors

Individuals, entities, or groups that possess the power and agency to bring about or resist political change.

ex. Donald Trump, MNC’s, NGO’s, activist leaders, the government, etc.

Stakeholders

Individuals or groups affected by political decisions and issues who may lack direct power or agency to take action.

ex. Citizens, vulnerable populations, future generations, and local communities impacted by state policy.

State

A political entity with a defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states and the capacity to defend its territory and sovereignty with a monopoly of the use of force

The United States, Canada, Mexico, any recognized sovereign country by the United Nations

Nation-State

A state whose borders roughly match those of a single nation (a group of people who share a common culture, language, history, or identity).

Japan

Government

The system or group of people with the authority to make and enforce laws and policies for a state.

The United States Federal Government // The U.K.’s Parliamentary Government

Political Parties

Organized groups of people who share similar political goals and ideologies and work together to win elections and influence government policy.

Democratic & Republician Party in the U.S. // Conservative & Labour parties in the U.K.

Political Leaders

Individuals who hold formal or informal positions of authority and influence political decision-making.

Donald Trump or another prime minister, such as Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine

Civil Society

The collection of nongovernmental organizations, associations, and institutions (outside of government and business) through which citizens organize to pursue shared interests, values, or causes.

Local community groups, religious organizations such as churches, and advocacy groups.

Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs)

Organizations composed primarily of sovereign states that come together to work on issues of common interest.

The United Nations, NATO, or the World Trade Organization

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Nonprofit organizations that operate independently of government and typically work on humanitarian, environmental, or social issues.

The Red Cross, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch

Private Actor

An individual, corporation, or organization that operates independently of government but can still influence political and economic outcomes.

Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung

Social Movements

Large, organized efforts by groups of people to bring about or resist social or political change, often through collective action.

Black Lives Matter

Resistance Movements

Organized efforts, sometimes involving armed struggle, to oppose an occupying power, an oppressive government, or a political system.

Climate Change Movements, Women, Life & Freedom Movements in Iran

Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy in a specific area without seeking to gain formal control of government themselves.

NRA (National Rifle Association) // Human Rights Watch // Amnesty International

Political Fourms

Venues, formal or informal, where political actors gather to discuss, debate, and sometimes negotiate policy and international issues.

The G7 Summit // World Economic Fourm

Media

The channels of communication (news outlets, social media, television, print) through which information about political events and issues is shared to the public.

BBC News, CNN, X, Reddit, etc.

Realism

A theory that sees international politics as a struggle for power and security, where states primarily act in their own national interests in an international system without a central authority.

Realists would interpret the war in Ukraine as a struggle for national security and power, where Russia seeks to protect and expand its strategic interests while Ukraine seeks to defend its sovereignty and survival.

Neorealism

A theory that argues state behavior is mainly shaped by the structure of the international system, especially the distribution of power among states, rather than by the individual characteristics of leaders or states.

China is significantly more powerful militarily and economically than the Philippines. Because of this unequal distribution of power, the Philippines has sought stronger security relationships with countries such as the United States, while China has sought to maintain and expand its position in the South China Sea.

Liberalism

A theory that emphasizes cooperation, international institutions, democracy, trade, and shared interests as ways states can reduce conflict and promote peace.

A liberal would interpret the Paris Agreement on climate change as an example of countries cooperating through shared policies and international institutions to address a global problem that no single country can solve alone.

Neoliberalism

A theory that argues that even though the international system is anarchic, international institutions and rules can encourage states to cooperate by reducing uncertainty and creating shared expectations.

A neoliberal would interpret climate change as a problem that states can address through international institutions and agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, because cooperation allows countries to pursue shared interests.

Constructivism

A theory that argues international politics is shaped by ideas, identities, values, norms, and beliefs, which are socially constructed and can change over time.

A constructivist would interpret the global issue of nuclear weapons by examining how countries' beliefs, identities, and social norms influence whether they see nuclear weapons as necessary for security or as unacceptable weapons that should be eliminated.

Critical Theory

An approach that examines how power structures, inequality, and dominant ideas shape international politics and seeks to question or challenge systems that maintain those inequalities.

A critical theorist would interpret COVID-19 vaccine inequality by examining how wealthy countries and pharmaceutical companies had greater control over vaccines, while poorer countries had less access, showing how existing global power structures can reinforce inequality.

Feminist Theory

An approach that examines how gender and gender-based power inequalities influence international politics, including issues such as war, security, economics, and political participation.

A feminist theorist could interpret Rwanda's high level of women's political representation by examining how gender quotas and other political structures have changed women's participation in government. Rwanda's 2024 elections increased women's representation in parliament to about 64%.

Marxist Theory

A theory that explains politics largely through economic class conflict and capitalism, emphasizing how powerful economic classes can influence states and international relations.

A Marxist theorist would see Sri Lanka’s 2022 money crisis and global loan payoff as rich nations taking advantage of a poorer country. They would say the rules set by the big bank—like selling off public services and cutting health or food aid—were made to save rich lenders while hurting ordinary working people.

Postcolonial Theory

An approach that examines how colonialism and its lasting effects continue to shape international politics, including inequalities between former colonial powers and formerly colonized societies.

A postcolonial theorist would interpret CARICOM's reparations campaign, launched in 2013, by examining how the effects of European colonialism and slavery continue to influence economic inequality and political relationships between former colonial powers and formerly colonized countries.