Contemporary International Relations

A set of flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the history of contemporary international relations.

Relações Internacionais

O estudo das interações entre países e as dinâmicas que moldam esses relacionamentos.

Sovereign State

A state that possesses full independence and authority over its territory and domestic affairs.

Treaty of Westphalia

A series of peace treaties signed in 1648, marking the end of the Thirty Years' War in Europe and establishing the concept of state sovereignty.

Bipolarity

A distribution of power in international relations where two states hold the majority of economic, military, and cultural influence.

Hegemony

The political, economic, or military predominance of one state or group over others.

Balance of Power

A situation in international relations in which the power is distributed among several nations to prevent any one from dominating others.

Liberalism

An economic and political philosophy advocating for individual freedoms, free markets, and limited government intervention.

Socialism

A political and economic theory advocating for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production.

Totalitarianism

A political system in which the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

The Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States post-World War II, characterized by political rivalry, military standoffs, and espionage.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from their colonizing countries, often occurring after WWII.

Belle Époque

A period in European history from the late 19th century until the outbreak of World War I characterized by cultural prosperity, economic growth, and stability.

Blitzkrieg

A method of warfare emphasizing rapid and surprise attacks to quickly overwhelm opponents, used notably by Germany in WWII.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance established in 1949 for mutual defense against aggression.

United Nations

An intergovernmental organization founded in 1945 aimed at promoting international cooperation and maintaining international order.

Iron Curtain

A term used to describe the political, military, and ideological barrier erected by the Soviet Union after WWII to separate itself from the West.