Glossary for all key terms

Question 1

Global Actor

Answer 1

is a state, intergovernmental organisation, and non-state actor. or transnational corporation that is involved in global politics

Question 2

Instability

Answer 2

refers to lack of order regarding a global issue or region

Question 3

National interest

Answer 3

Pursued to ensure the survival and potential growth of that state

Question 4

Power

Answer 4

refers to the ability of global actor to influence the action of another global actor

Question 5

State

Answer 5

possess a permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty

Question 6

Unilateralism

Answer 6

policy of a state acting alone, with little regard for the views or interests of other global actors

Question 7

Sovereignty

Answer 7

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders

Question 8

Contested borders

Answer 8

States’s territory is claimed by another state or group of people- not widely recognised borders that the state has effective control over

Question 9

Multilateral

Answer 9

refers to a system of coordinating relations between 3 or more global actors, usually in pursuit of specific objectives

Question 10

popular sovereignty

Answer 10

the principle that the leaders of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the source of all political legitimacy.

Question 11

Parliamentary Sovereignty

Answer 11

a concept that the legislative body has absolute sovereignty and is supreme over all other government institutions, including executive or judicial bodies. It also holds that the legislative body may change or repeal any previous legislation and so it is not bound by written law (in some cases, not even a constitution) or by precedent.

Question 12

Responsible Government

Answer 12

a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability, the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy.

Question 13

legitimacy

Answer 13

the belief that an actor has the right to exercise power’

Question 14

federalism

Answer 14

A system of government in which law making powers and responsibilities are constitutionally divided between a central, national government and a series of state or regional governments. Both Australia and the USA operate a federal system of government.

Question 15

separation of powers

Answer 15

The principle that the three branches of government, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, should be kept independent and act without interference from each other as means of decentralising and preventing abuse of power.

Question 16

pluralism

Answer 16

a situation in which people of different social classes, religions, races, etc., are together in a society but continue to have their different traditions and interests