Definitions: U3 AOS 2 Flashcards
National Interest
An ell-embracing concept used to justify policy preferences and actions. It includes the goals or objectives of foreign policy and ultimately boils down to the survival of the state
E.g. China’s national interest of economic development or territorial integrity and (no) secession
Power (AP)
The ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor so that they do something they did not originally want to do. Power can be recognised in a range of types and forms.
E.g. China frequently employs hard, military power to safeguard its sovereignty. For instance, the 1370 ballistic missiles facing Taiwan on the Eastern seaboard essentially deter Taiwan from declaring formal independence.
Nation-State
An actor in the GPA which possess a permanent population, defined territory, recognised sovereignty from the UN and is also culturally homogenous.
E.g. Japan
Security
Traditionally refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty, most commonly achieved through the use of military power. Security has evolved to include softer forms such as access to resources (i.e. economic security) or the protection of ecosystems (i.e. environmental security)
Idealism
A school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by moral principle, as opposed to practical, pragmatic considerations.
E.g. Created in 2007, China’s ‘Peace Ark’ hospital ship helps to provide a better means of responding to humanitarian disasters such as Typhoon Haiya in the Philippines in November 2013. The Peace Ark treated 2,208 patients throughout 44 operations.
Pragmatism
A school of thought in which foreign policy is guided above all else by practical and pragmatic considerations as opposed to moral principles.
E.g. In 2005 China created an ‘Anti-secession law’ that allowed the PRC to use military force should Taiwan declare formal independence.
Hard power
A term first coined by Joseph Nye describing power exercised tangibly through coercion or threatened actions or coercion to influence the actions of other global actors. Most commonly applied via military forms.
E.g. China’s 1370 ballistic missiles on the Eastern Seaboard facing Taiwan
Soft Power
A term first coined by Joseph Nye describing the ability to shape the actions of other global actors by virtue of cultural and ideological attraction. Soft power is most commonly exercised through diplomacy, culture, policies and history.
E.g. China’s offer of two pandas to Taiwan in 2005
