International Politics and the Global Community

Question 1

Anticolonialism

Answer 1

Political movement seeking to achieve independence for colonies, thus permitting countries to govern themselves.

Question 2

Arms control

Answer 2

Negotiations and agreements that limit the production of weapons by nations

Question 3

Balance of power

Answer 3

The maintenance of peace through the even distribution of power among competing nations so that no single state or combination of states is dominant.

Question 4

Bipolarity

Answer 4

The distribution of power between two nation-states.

Question 5

Collective security

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Détente

Answer 6

A relaxation of tensions between nation-states.

Question 7

Disarmament

Answer 7

Negotiations and agreements whereby countries agree to reduce or eliminate weapons.

Question 8

Domination

Answer 8

Policy of exercising direct or indirect control, sometimes despotic, over others.

Question 9

European Union

Answer 9

Regional organization built on the foundation of free trade. Seeks total European eco­nomic integration.

Question 10

Functionalism

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Globalization

Answer 11

Rapid and explosive increase in integrative international economic activity—trade, investment, and banking. Built on the twin pillars of capitalism and high-tech communications.

Question 12

Grand debate

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Hard power

Answer 13

Military or economic influence. Stands in contrast to soft power, which involves less tangible elements such as persuasion, political skill, and public opinion.

Question 14

Hegemony

Answer 14

Circumstance in which one nation-state has overwhelming, dominating power.

Question 15

Isolation

Answer 15

Policy of withdrawal from, and nonparticipation in, world affairs.

Question 16

Multilateralism

Answer 16

Groups of countries operating through international organizations and engaged in collective problem solving and problem resolution.

Question 17

Multinational corporation (MNC)

Answer 17

Private company operating in more than one country.

Question 18

Multipolarity

Answer 18

When power is distributed among several nation-states.

Question 19

Neutrality

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Nonalignment

Answer 20

Policy whereby states refuse to participate in the struggle between major powers or superpowers.

Question 21

Nongovernmental organization (NGO)

Answer 21

A private international actor whose purpose and activity parallel those of interest groups.

Question 22

Peaceful settlement

Answer 22

Resolution of disputes through such nonviolent means as influence, inquiry, mediation, and conciliation

Question 23

Preventive diplomacy

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Soft power

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Thucydides’s trap

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Trusteeship

Answer 26

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.