Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

International Relations, 1st Year > Global Issues > Flashcards

Global Issues Flashcards

1
Q

What are global issues?

A

They are usually silent issues that cross state borders and fail to respect state sovereignty. Also normally combined with other issues.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Population growth is a problem. How many people are at risk of living in poverty in the EU? How many people live in poverty in the UK?

A

1/4 & 1/6

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is meant by the term patchwork quilt when looking at medieval Europe?

A

Political authority shared amongst secular and religious institutions (different levels of authority). Territory was never really seen as an issue. There was a zone of transition between authority figures rather than territory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What year did the Congress of Vienna take place and what was discussed?

A

1815- discussed was the disposition of Poland and Saxony and the borders of Germany.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What happened in the year of 1955?

A

The Peace if Augsberg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What year was the peace of Westphalia?

A

1968

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

State 4 features of statehood?

A

Declaration of independence, functioning government, permanent population and a defined territory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

State 3 reasons why it might seem like the state is losing control?

A

Their inability to control global finances, human rights conventions placing restrictions on how they exercise their authority and it now shares its authority with an increasing array of international organisations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the definition of territoriality?

A

Exclusive authority within the territorial confines of the state.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How many members did the UN have in 1945 compared to 2011?

A

1945- 51 states

2011- 193 states

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does the term actor mean?

A

an individual group or state that plays a role in world politics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are states?

A

Traditionally though to be the main actors of world politics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are non-state actors?

A

Can be things like transnational organisations and are assuming an increasingly more important role in global politics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

When looking at Realism, describe its main features?

A

It is an anarchic system, states are the main actors, they rely on military strength to keep them secure, their chief dynamic is a struggle for power and they can achieve temporary security by becoming hegemonic or an alliance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

When looking at Liberalism, describe its main features?

A

It is an anarchic system, links between states and non-state actors, kept in order by international corporations, promotes free trade and democracy, chief dynamic is non-hierarchical issues.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

When looking at Constructivism, describe its main features?

A

There is no fixed international system, they are more interested in how actors shape structures than which actor is more important, when it comes to security they look at what influence the production of knowledge has, chief dynamic is ideas and the social construction of reality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does ontology mean?

A

A set of ideas and principles in a subject area or domain which show their properties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What does epistemology mean?

A

The theory of knowledge, especially with regards to its methods.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the 2 theoretical approaches in global issues?

A

Positivism and Interpretivism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

When looking at Positivism, explain its ontology and epistemology?

A

Ontology: A real world exists out there, independent from our knowledge.
Epistemology: Researcher is objective and uses an empirical investigation to discover reality. Quantitative.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

When looking at Interpretism, explain its ontology and epistemology?

A

Ontology: generate our world through interactions, multiple competing truths dependent on our reaction to it.
Epistemology: Researcher actively involved in construction of knowledge, it is contextual and qualitative.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are international institutions?

A

They are sets of rules known and shared by relevant communities provide distinct concepts and they facilitate cooperation between actors.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Explain the conceptual idea of security?

A

Strategic, parsimonious (narrow), security of the state, national security and threats to security. Takes a holistic approach, security of individuals and communities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Explain the conceptual idea of humanitarianism?

A

Neutral humanitarianism, consensual response to human suffering, independent NGO’s. Humanitarian intervention, military force and response to human suffering.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are ideational explanations?

A

The belief that ideas matter as well as interests. Ideas give the world meaning and help us determine our relationship to it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Process of structuration?

A

Actors interpreting their environment and acting in accordance to this interpretation. New interpretations give rise to new practises.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are norms?

A

examples of regular behaviour which is seen as appropriate in society.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is normative transformation?

A

Norms emerged out of political practises when trying to solve problems. Emerging ideas can give rise to new behaviours.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is our current population and what is it expected to reach in 2030, 2050 and 2100?

A

7.5 billion at present, 8.5 billion by 2030, 9.7 billion by 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Who is the thinker related to global population and what are his thoughts?

A

Thomas Malthus, population grows exponentially however, he didn’t account for technological or agricultural developments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

How do we measure population growth?

A

Demographers, growth is the difference between crude birth rates and crude death rates.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Why is population growth a problem in LEDC’s?

A

There are high rates of infant mortality and low levels of sanitation. Children are seen as economic bonuses as they are added to a workforce.

33
Q

Why is population growth an issue in MEDC’s?

A

Ageing populations- hard to offer the elderly a good healthcare.

34
Q

What are the three fabric index’s when looking at securitisation?

A

Environmental, social and economic.

35
Q

What are the benefits of human security being politically contested?

A

Increases political salience (importance), enhances political resources and discussion of HIV/AIDS transformation.

36
Q

What are the costs of human security being politically contested?

A

Short term, inappropriate resources and strategies, new priorities like terrorism.

37
Q

What is hunger? (3 concepts)

A

Undernourishment- food intake fails to meet sufficient calories needed
Malnutrition- characterised by inadequate intake of protein
Wasting- malnutrition leading to severe weight loss.

38
Q

“The average adult needs 2100 calories a day, the world produces enough food for everyone to have 2900 calories a day.” Who said this?

A

Lappe & Collins 2015

39
Q

What percentage of chronically undernourished are in LEDC’s?

A

98%

40
Q

According to the FAO, 2014, …. million are undernourished in developed countries.

A

11

41
Q

….. Million go to bed hungry every night. FAO, 2015

A

795

42
Q

Who are the hungry?

A

Rural-dwellers- rural areas of Africa/Asia
Farmers- 20% landless families dependent on farming
Women and children.

43
Q

Causes of hunger?

A

Poverty- small scale farmers
Neo-liberal trading system- open up to cheap food imports
Food wastage
Climate change
MEDC subsides- agricultural policies amongst EU

44
Q

What three pillars is food security built on?

A
  1. Food availability: sufficient quantities of food available on a consistent basis
  2. Food access: sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet
  3. Food use: appropriate use based on knowledge of basic nutrition.
45
Q

LEDC’s lacking the wealth or resources to provide basic welfare is linked to which global issue?

A

Health

46
Q

In 2013, what outbreak killed 11,000 people due to poor health services?

A

Ebola

47
Q

Name one approach to health?

A

Health is a right, based on equality and prevention.

48
Q

What is the state responsible for regarding health?

A

Delivering health interventions.

49
Q

How do Booth and Rowntree define poverty?

A

As a lack of resources to meet basic physical needs.

50
Q

What is relative poverty?

A

Relative as it depends on social context and living standards.

51
Q

How does Levitas (2007) describe social exclusion?

A

Denial of resources and inability to participate in normal relationships.

52
Q

How do we measure relative poverty?

A

Set a level of income and anyone who does not meet it is in poverty.

53
Q

3 facts about poverty in the UK?

A
  1. 18 million cannot afford housing
  2. 1 in 3 cannot afford to heat their homes
  3. 3.7 million children in poverty.
54
Q

3 causes of poverty?

A

International: structure of global economy
National: austerity measures and income equality
Household: education, poor health and personal choices

55
Q

What are authorised migrants?

A

People who have moved across a border with the right legal documents.

56
Q

What are unauthorised migrants?

A

A person who has moved across an international border without the legal documents.

57
Q

What is irregular migration?

A

Movement that takes place outside the regulatory norms of the sending, transit and receiving countries.

58
Q

Define Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s)?

A

Someone who is forced to flee their home but still remains in their country.

59
Q

What are asylum seekers?

A

A person who has left their home as a political refugee and is seeking asylum elsewhere.

60
Q

What are refugees?

A

People who have been forced to leave their country to escape war.

61
Q

What is a country of origin?

A

Where a person originally comes from.

62
Q

What is a country of transit?

A

Countries people cross through to get to their country of destination.

63
Q

What are countries of destination?

A

Where a person is going to.

64
Q

What is the current population of global migrants? What % of women?

A

244 million, 48% women.

65
Q

What is Transnational Organised Crime (TOC)?

A

Violation of the law for profit that crosses borders.

66
Q

4 examples of TOC?

A

Money laundering, human trafficking, drug trafficking, tax evasion.
State fails by giving opportunities,

67
Q

Relationship between TOC and market?

A

Exclusion: legislation of previously illegal products
Competition: trading vs trafficking illegal products
Cooperation: money laundering etc.

68
Q

What was discussed regarding TOC at the UN World Ministerial Conference 1994?

A
  1. Create or improve legislation against TOC
  2. Target money laundering operations
  3. Increase transnational organisations
69
Q

What is a paradigm and who is associated with them?

A

Framework of a set of concepts that dominates a scientific or political field. Thomas Kuhn (1996) and the structure of scientific revolutions.

70
Q

What is a paradigm shift?

A

If new data contradicts the current paradigm then we enter a crisis, this crisis ends in a new paradigm replacing the old one.

71
Q

Example of a paradigm shift?

A

Copernican Revolution- geocentric paradigm gradually replaced the heliocentric paradigm.

72
Q

What is the neo-liberal paradigm?

A

The economy has more to benefit if the markets are left to themselves.

73
Q

What is the significance of nuclear weapons?

A

They are seen as the ultimate weapon, hard to acquire and provide sates with a huge advantage.

74
Q

What was the basis of the 1945 Arms Race?

A

The USA created the atomic bomb so had a huge nuclear advantage, USSR gained parity in 1949 and the vertical and horizontal proliferation.

75
Q

What was MAD?

A

Mutually Assured Destruction- where both the USA and USSR developed first strike capabilities and second strike capabilities.

76
Q

What is a first strike capability?

A

The ability to launch a surprise attack first.

77
Q

What is second strike capability?

A

The ability to withstand a first strike and retaliate.

78
Q

Name 3 arms control regimes?

A

Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963)
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, SALT (1972&93)
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, START (1991&93)

International Relations, 1st Year (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions