Global Politics Final Review - Unit I: Power

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering power dynamics, types of states, global organizations, and legitimacy based on Unit I lecture notes.

Hard Power

To achieve aims through force, mainly using military forces to reach specific goals.

Soft Power

To achieve political aims through persuasion or influence, such as investment or cultural appeal.

Smart Power

To achieve aims through the combination of both hard power (force) and soft power (persuasion and influence).

Structural Power

When states influence the political ideas, structures, and frameworks that define global politics.

Relational Power

When a state uses its relationship with another state to influence it to change its behavior through threats, rewards, or agenda control.

Social Power

The action of connecting a wide variety of people to influence behaviors and values through culture, law, and media without direct coercion.

Cultural Power

The ability of a nation or group to influence others by shaping their perceptions through culture, media, and language.

Cyber Power

The use of the internet and the cyber revolution for political groups or individuals to influence others or launch security attacks.

Realism

A view of global politics as being dominated by states as the most important actors, primarily prioritizing their own national interests.

Offensive Realism

A branch of realism where states aim to expand their global power.

Defensive Realism

A branch of realism where states aim merely to defend themselves against external threats and maintain the status quo.

Liberalism

A belief that soft power, cooperation, and a rule-based international order are the most effective ways to use power.

Fragile States

States with inadequate institutional capability and poor governance that struggle to deliver services, security, or the fundamental rule of law.

Federal States

States where a central (national) government and regional (sub-national) governments share constitutional authority.

Unitary States

States where regional governments are loyal to the central government, which controls most or all political authority.

Authoritarian States

States where civil freedoms are strictly regulated, political opposition is limited, and power is concentrated in a small elite or leader.

Monarchy

A form of governance in which a king or queen has actual or symbolic political authority, frequently inherited.

Theocracy

A system in which the state is primarily governed by religious leaders or religious legislation.

Economic Interdependence

Relationships based on business, investment, and financial transactions that are mutually dependent across states or regions.

Political Interdependence

Mutual dependence between nations founded on alliances, diplomatic collaboration, or common security concerns.

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Groups made up of state governments that collaborate on specific issues like trade, health, or security.

International Organizations

A broad group that includes both intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and cross-border non-governmental organizations.

Economic IGO

An intergovernmental organization that focuses on economic cooperation, including development, commerce, and finance.

Hybrid IGO

An intergovernmental organization that works with both state and non-state entities, including businesses and non-governmental organizations.

Global Governance

The collection of organizations, laws, customs, and procedures that aid in regulating global concerns in the absence of a single world authority.

Strategic Alliance

An ongoing collaboration between governments or parties for economic gain or mutual security without a complete supranational organization.

European Union

A regional association of European nations that combines supranational, political, and economic organizations.

African Union

A regional organization of African governments with the goal of advancing development, peace, and economic and political cooperation.

Democracy

A form of government in which the people exercise power through free and fair elections, the rule of law, and the defense of rights.

Constitutions

Sets of fundamental laws, written or unwritten, that specify how a state is run, including authority distribution and fundamental rights.