Exam Revision - key terms and examples Flashcards
Power
A strategy employed by a political actor or organization in order to coerce another political actor into helping achieve their desired outcomes or aims.
This is demonstrated via China’s willingness to send native and rare Chinese pandas to Australian zoos with the aim of improving relations and connections between nations.
Sovereignty
The legitimate or widely recognized ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognized borders.
The United States are considered as sovereign political powers as they are entirely independent of any other political entity and reside within legitimate and recognized geographically borders.
State
A nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.
Australia is regarded as a state as it is a nation run under one main and dominant government.
Rule of law
The political ideal under which all citizens and institutions of a state are subject and accountable to the same laws and consequences of disobeying the law.
In Denmark, the rule of law is intended to be applied in a way which ensures no one person is more or less accountable to following the law.
Pluralism
the political philosophy under which people of all social classes, racial or religious backgrounds and groups may peacefully co-exist whilst continuing to possess their separate traditions and interests.
Pluralism could be observed post the white apartheid in South Africa where laws permitting racial discrimination where overruled.
Sanctions
Official orders or laws stopping trade or communication with another state, as a way of forcing or strongly coercing its leaders to make political changes. (Designed to fully cease trade between states)
In 2022, the United States announced sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s military aggression shown toward Ukraine.
Tariff
A tax levied on imported goods of a state typically for the purpose of discouraging a particular action from a state.
In 2019, China introduced a tariff on Australian wine exports with the reported intention of decreasing anti-competitive behaviour from Australian wine industries.
Democracy
A government system under which the population of a state choose their leaders via free, fair and frequent elections.
The structure and functioning of the British political system classifies the state as a democracy.
Constitution
The basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it.
The Australian constitution provides all of the underlying values and rules for the effective governing of the state and may only be changed in the case of a successful nation-wide referendum.
Constitutional monarchy
The system of government under which the powers of the monarch or sovereign are limited by law and convention and are generally only exercised in accordance with the advice given by the state’s elected government.
