Full List of Definitions

Question 1

Cosmopolitanism

Answer 1

Cosmopolitanism reflects a desire among global actors to cooperate to reach common goals and outcomes to meet challenges that are presented to the global community.

Question 2

Crisis Diplomacy

Answer 2

Refers to negotiations between actors in the global political arena in response to an immediate crisis. This most commonly concerns conflicts and natural disasters, but also economic and health crises.

Question 3

Cultural Power

Answer 3

Refers to a desirable and transportable culture that states can use to achieve ends that might not be achieved through military and political means. It is often linked to soft power and may influence regional relationships and international standing.

Question 4

Diplomatic Power

Answer 4

Refers to the power accrued by states through their relationships with others in the form of alliances, alignments and international standing. Essentially, it is the ability of a state to influence other global actors by way of discussion and negotiation.

Question 5

Economic Power

Answer 5

A state’s economic power is often determined by figures such as the gross domestic product (GDP), which indicate the wealth of a state and its economic activity. Economic power can also be assessed by the state’s reliance on imports of goods and services. Crucially, economic power refers to a state’s ability to influence the actions of another state through finance and trade.

Question 6

Economic Prosperity

Answer 6

The national interest of economic prosperity is important to a state as it indicates whether a state can weather international economic instability as well as protects and builds the wealth and welfare of its citizens. If a state is economically prosperous, it encourages other states to develop relationships with them and bolsters state sovereignty.

Question 7

Ethics

Answer 7

This seeks to address questions of morality and extends to global politics, as global actors are guided by different moral frameworks/positions. These may influence the actions of intergovernmental agencies and the creation and application of international laws.

Question 8

Global Governance

Answer 8

Refers to institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements that seek to facilitate cooperation, and manage relations, between states. Governance is carried out by both governmental organisations such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations.​

Question 9

Globalisation

Answer 9

Refers to acceleration and intensification of exchanges of goods, services, labour and capital, which promote global interdependence. These have been facilitated by rapid changes in communication and technology.

Question 10

Hard Power

Answer 10

Refers to power exercised through incentive or coercion to influence the actions of other global actors. This is most commonly exercised through diplomatic, military and/or economic forms.

Question 11

Idealism

Answer 11

Refers to a school of thought in which policy is influenced primarily by an ideological principle, as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations.

Question 12

International Cooperation

Answer 12

Refers to occasions when global actors collaborate and interact with each other in the pursuit of reciprocal common ideals, goals and interests.

Question 13

International Law

Answer 13

Traditionally only relating to states, international law is a body of rules established by custom or written legal agreements that are accepted as binding upon the international community. Customary international law applies to all global actors. Written legal agreements, such as treaties, are only binding to those who consent to it through explicit ratification. Some international laws may apply only to states, such as the UN Convention against Torture, while others may apply directly to citizens, such as war crimes.

Question 14

International Standing

Answer 14

The international standing of a state is an important national interest as it influences the power a state has in global politics. Other national interests impact on international standing as well as a state’s role and recognition in intergovernmental organisations and as a proponent of international law. If a state has a poor international standing it may threaten their sovereignty.

Question 15

Justice

Answer 15

Refers to the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness and equity that, importantly, also seeks punishment and/or compensation when these ethics are breached. Extends to global politics through international systems of justice, such as the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, which seek to uphold international law and deter future violations.

Question 16

Military Power

Answer 16

Refers to the use of a state’s military to exert influence over the actions of other global actors. This may not need to be implemented through a use of force as placement and capacity of the military may be enough to influence other global actors.

Question 17

Multilateralism

Answer 17

Refers to a system of coordinating relations between three or more global actors, usually in pursuit of specific objectives.​

Question 18

Nation

Answer 18

Refers to groups of people claiming common bonds based on culture, language and history. Some nations have their own state, such as the Japanese, while others want their own state such as the Tibetans and Kurds.

Question 19

National Security

Answer 19

This is the national interest of a state to ensure it maintains sovereignty. Traditionally this term refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders but has evolved to include other forms of security, such as resource and environmental security, that are necessary for a state to maintain sovereignty.

Question 20

Nation-state

Answer 20

Political or social grouping in which people within territorial boundaries, with recognised sovereignty, have common bonds based on culture, language and history. For example, Japan.

Question 21

Political Power

Answer 21

Refers to the use of a state’s internal political machinery to exert influence over the actions of others. For example, legislation, executive orders, white papers.

Question 22

Power

Answer 22

Refers to the ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor. Power can be exercised in a range of types.

Question 23

Pragmatism

Answer 23

A school of thought in which policy is influenced primarily by practical considerations, as opposed to a particular ideology.

Question 24

Realism

Answer 24

Realism involves states (and other global actors) prioritizing their specific interest and needs over those of the global community.

Question 25

Regional Relationships

Answer 25

Positive regional relationships are an important national interest to a state as they ensure its neighbours will not behave in a hostile manner and thus threaten state sovereignty. Alliances with other likeminded neighbours may help the success of other national interests. However, a state may consider other national interests more important than positive regional relationships if they better achieve the aims of a state.

Question 26

Soft Power

Answer 26

Refers to the ability of one global actor to shape the actions of other global actors via attraction, with the absence of incentive or coercion. This can be achieved in various ways, for example through diplomatic and cultural ties. It is a term first coined by Joseph Nye.

Question 27

Sovereignty

Answer 27

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the authority to represent their territorial entity within the international community. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (for example, secessionist groups) or externally (for example, one state invades another).

Question 28

State

Answer 28

Traditionally this term refers to the central actor in global politics. States possess a permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty. States are not necessarily culturally homogenous, for example Australia.

Question 29

Unilateralism

Answer 29

Refers to the policy of a state acting alone in regards to upholding/defending their national interest, with little or no regard for the views or interests of other global actors​