International Politics and the Global Community Flashcards
Anticolonialism
Political movement seeking to achieve independence for colonies, thus permitting countries to govern themselves.
Arms control
Negotiations and agreements that limit the production of weapons by nations
Balance of power
The maintenance of peace through the even distribution of power among competing nations so that no single state or combination of states is dominant.
Bipolarity
The distribution of power between two nation-states.
Collective security
Joining of countries into an organization to maintain international peace and law. Their collective strength deters or punishes aggression by member nations. The United Nations is one such organization.
Détente
A relaxation of tensions between nation-states.
Disarmament
Negotiations and agreements whereby countries agree to reduce or eliminate weapons.
Domination
Policy of exercising direct or indirect control, sometimes despotic, over others.
European Union
Regional organization built on the foundation of free trade. Seeks total European economic integration.
Functionalism
asserts that the barriers to cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution can best be overcome when peoples and nations work together to meet common needs and advance mutual interests. Emphasis is on such functional areas as trade, health, agriculture, transportation, and environment.
Globalization
Rapid and explosive increase in integrative international economic activity—trade, investment, and banking. Built on the twin pillars of capitalism and high-tech communications.
Grand debate
Function of the United Nations whereby problems can be presented, discussed, and analyzed; ideas can be tested; and the strength of policies can be measured
Hard power
Military or economic influence. Stands in contrast to soft power, which involves less tangible elements such as persuasion, political skill, and public opinion.
Hegemony
Circumstance in which one nation-state has overwhelming, dominating power.
Isolation
Policy of withdrawal from, and nonparticipation in, world affairs.
Multilateralism
Groups of countries operating through international organizations and engaged in collective problem solving and problem resolution.
Multinational corporation (MNC)
Private company operating in more than one country.
Multipolarity
When power is distributed among several nation-states.
Neutrality
Legally based policy of remaining nonaligned with adversaries for the duration of a war. Can also be practiced in times of peace on a variety of international issues.
Nonalignment
Policy whereby states refuse to participate in the struggle between major powers or superpowers.
Nongovernmental organization (NGO)
A private international actor whose purpose and activity parallel those of interest groups.
Peaceful settlement
Resolution of disputes through such nonviolent means as influence, inquiry, mediation, and conciliation
Preventive diplomacy
Action by such groups as the United Nations to help states, often smaller ones, settle disputes peacefully before the disputes escalate and involve major powers
Soft power
Influence exercised by less tangible means than raw power, such as persuasion, public opinion, and political skill. Stands in contrast to hard power, which is the application of military or economic power.
Thucydides’s trap
A particularly dangerous time when a new rising power seeks to surpass an established dominant power and the dominant power resists the new power. Instability ensues and there is a higher possibility of war.
Trusteeship
Commission from the United Nations to a country to look after a region, territory, or colony until the people of that land are believed ready for independence and self-government.
