Global Actors Flashcards
STATE
Traditionally the central actor in International Relations. Possess permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty. Not necessarily culturally homogenous, for example Australia is a state.
NATION
Groups of people claiming common bonds based on culture, language, history. Some have their own state (Japan), while others want their own (Tibetans, Kurds).
NATION-STATE
Political/social grouping in which people within territorial boundaries, with recognised sovereignty, have common bonds based on culture, language or history.
SOVEREIGNTY
Legitimate/widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. Primary organising principle of global politics; provides states with the authority to represent territorial entity within international community.
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
Institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements that seek to facilitate cooperation and manage relations between states. Carried out by both governmental organisations (the UN) and non governmental organisations (the ICC)
The underlying concept is the idea of an international community bound by shared values, beliefs, responsibilities and common rules and procedures.
MULTILATERALISM
System of coordinating relations between three or more states, usually in pursuit of objectives in particular areas. For example, the 2014 Geneva II conference on Syria
PUBLIC OPINION
Sentiment shared by group of people that can influence foreign policy of states
GLOBALISATION
Acceleration and intensification of exchanges of goods, services, labour and capital which promote global interdependence. Facilitated by rapid changes in technology and communication, and has widespread impact on social, political, economic and cultural life.
TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION
A company whose operations and investments extend beyond the boundaries of the state in which it is registered
THIRD AGENDA ISSUES
Issues which affect a number of states at any one time and so require joint action to be resolved eg. global warming.
INTERNATIONALISM
Emphasises the similarities and links between people; stresses a common humanity beyond national boundaries and the need for cooperative solutions to common challenges
POWER
Ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor. Can be exercised in a range of types and forms.
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS
Specialised organisations, agencies and groups committed to promoting a range of issues such as ending human rights abuse and environmental protection. These are independent of government influence. They achieve their aims on the basis of links between individuals across the world, lobbying, rallying and advertising their aims to act as a moderating influence on the behaviour and policy of states.
SECURITY
The protection of a states borders from internal and external threats and the maintenance of sovereignty, most commonly achieved through use of military power. Softer forms of security are access to resources/economic security and protection of ecosystems/environmental security.
NATIONAL INTEREST
The goals and objectives of foreign policy (aimed to benefit the state), used as an all embracing concept to justify policy preferences and actions in using power in the global political arena.
