Global Systems & Global Governance Flashcards
Benefits
The advantages/positive impacts of something (social, economic, environmental, etc).
Geopolitics
How relationships between geographical, economic and political factors impact on political
decisions and international relations and therefore affect the use and control of territory
and resources.
Global Commons
A region, resource or natural property of Earth beyond the exclusive control of individual
nation states and requiring common governance and management by the international
community.
Global Governance
The system and institutions that coordinate the behaviour of international agencies, facilitate
cooperation, resolve disputes and improve global decision-making
Globalisation
The process whereby individual national economies, societies and cultures are increasingly
integrated through advances in communication and transport technology, international trade
and movement of peoples.
International Trade
The exchange of capital, goods and services across international borders. An individual
country’s exports are outbound to other countries; imports are inbound from other countries.
Labour
A factor of production incorporating human effort and ingenuity into the production, trade
and consumption of goods and services.
Latin America
A commonly used term to describe the countries in the Americas found to the south of the
continental United States, including Central America, South America and the islands of the
Caribbean where the dominant languages derive from Latin (mainly Spanish and Portuguese).
Some see the use of this term as problematic due to its use homogenising the region and
using a characterisation of language that originates from colonisation.
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
A non-profit, voluntary citizens group with a common interest in pursuing political goals,
organised on a local, national or international scale.
Norms
The shared values, traditions and customs that govern individual and group behaviour in a
society.
Sub-Saharan Africa
A term collectively describing countries in Africa located mainly south of the Sahara Desert.
The dividing line has origins in colonial ideas of race, separating the predominately Arab
states of North Africa, which colonists considered to be more developed from the rest of
Africa. This term replaced racist phrases such as ‘Black Africa’ that were used up until the
1950s.
Transnational Corporation (TNC)
Large businesses that operate in several different countries and commonly allocate different
productions functions to different types of country – for example in terms of assembly,
research and development, and decision taking.
United Nations (UN)
An international organisation founded in 1945 consisting of 193 member states with the aim
of maintaining international peace, security and cooperation. It self-defines as “one place
where the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems and find shared
solutions.”
United National Environment Programme (UNEP)
A global authority for the environment with programmes focusing on climate, nature,
pollution and sustainable development. UNEP’s mission is “to inspire, inform, and enable
nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future
generations.”
