Key concepts - Lec 10-12

Question 1

End of History

Answer 1

• Book by fukuyama
• final stage of ideological development
• Market economy and liberal political system will be universal
• There are no challenges that propose an alternative to market economy and liberal system.
• universalism

Question 2

Power

Answer 2

The ability to achieve a desired outcome, through whatever means

Question 3

Terrorism

Answer 3

Form of political violence that aims to achieve its objectives through creating a climate of fear and apprehension

Question 4

War on terror

Answer 4

• Refers to efforts by the USA and its key allies after 9/11 to root out and destroy groups and forces deemed to be responsible for global terrorism.
• Controversial, because of the vagueness of the term, as terrorism is a tactic rather than a specific enemy that can be neutralized, meaning that it can justify basically an unlimited range of interventions.

Question 5

Bush Doctrine

Answer 5

• The doctrine outlined by Bush, that pre-emptive military action, possibly aimed at achieving regime change, would be taken against states thought to be threatening the USA through the development of WMD and/or by harbouring terrorists. Like anything Bush is involved in, this is controversial, for obvious reasons.

Question 6

Axis of evil

Answer 6

• Speech by Bush
• US nuclear Posture Review: allowing for pre-emptive nuclear strikes against ‘rogue states’
• President Bush’s club of Iraq, Iran and North Korea, and later also Cuba, Syria and (briefly) Libya. Created in January 2002. Part of the war on terror.

Question 7

Jihad

Answer 7

• An Islamic term literally meaning ‘strive’ or ‘struggle’
• Although the term is sometimes equated with ‘holy war’ (lesser jihad), it is more properly understood as inner struggle for faith (greater jihad)

Question 8

Pre-emption

Answer 8

A states willingness and ability to attack another state that poses an imminent threat to its national security

Question 9

Global civil society

Answer 9

• Civil society refers to autonomous groups and associations that operate independently of government.
• Global civil society, then refers to a realm in which these transnational autonomous groups and associations interact.
• Typically, these are voluntary and non-profitmaking. The term is complex though. In the “activist” version, transnational social movements are the key agents of global civil society, giving it this sort of “outsider” status, with a strong focus on humanitarian goals and cosmopolitan ideals.
• In the “policy” version, NGO’s are the key agents to global civil society, giving it more of an “insider” status, meaning that it overlaps with global governance .

Question 10

Global governance

Answer 10

• Broad, dynamic, and complex process of interactive decision-making at the global level that involves formal and informal mechanisms as well as governmental and non-governmental bodies.
• States and governments of course remain the primary institution for voicing public interests and those of the global community as a whole, but it can also involve intergovernmental and sometimes also supranational bodies.
• Global policy is then made by a system of both horizontal and vertical interactions where officials in all different parts of government works with their counterparts elsewhere, as well as activists, scientists, bankers, an others. The term can also be used to refer to the institutions these interactions takes place in.

Question 11

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Answer 11

A Multinational Corporation, also called a worldwide enterprise. They control/own production of goods and services in at least one other country than its home country.

Question 12

Population growth

Answer 12

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Question 13

Tragedy of the commons

Answer 13

An idea that draws attention to the importance of “global commons”, meaning areas and natural resources that are unowned and thus beyond national jurisdiction, e.g. the atmosphere, oceans, Antarctica. The Tragedy of the Commons thus refers to that shared resources will always be misused or overused in the name of profit and short-term benefit, and thus inevitably lead to tragedy.

Question 14

Great Powers

Answer 14

A state deemed to outrank the most powerful in a hierarchical-state system. Four criteria define a great power:

1. In the first rank of military power, having the capacity to maintain their own security, and potentially also influence other powers
2. Economically powerful, this being a necessary, but not sufficient condition for great power status (as one sees with Japan for example)
3. Global, not only regional spheres of interests
4. Adopt a “forward” foreign policy, and have actual impact on international affairs (NOT just potential impact)

Question 15

New Terrorism

Answer 15

Form of terrorism that is more radical and devastating than ‘traditional’ terrorism because of the nature of its organisation, political character, motivations and strategies

Question 16

Good Governance

Answer 16

Standards for the proces of decision making in society, including (according to the UN) popular participation, respect for the rule of law, transparency, responsiveness and accountability

Question 17

Welfare State

Answer 17

A state that takes prime responsibility for the social welfare of its citizens, discharged through a range of social security, health, education and other services (albeit different in different countries)

Question 18

Universalism

Answer 18

The belief that it is possible to uncover certain values and principles that are applicable to all people and all societies, regardless of historical, cultural, and other differences. For example, the universality of the Human Rights.

Question 19

Relativism

Answer 19

Relativism, as opposed to universalism, is the belief that ideas and values are valid only in relation to particular social, cultural, and historical conditions. I.e, there is no universal truths, or no universal values

Question 20

Pariah State

Answer 20

A state whose behavioral norms place it outside the international community, leading to diplomatic isolation and attracting widespread condemnation

Question 21

What is the Group of Eight?

Answer 21

• Forum of leaders from world’s leading industrial powers
• 19 members and EU
• Replaced by G20
• Main aims:
  1. provide global leadership on economic issues
  2. coordinate global economic policy among member countries
  3. assist through the spread of liberal democracy and capitalism

Question 22

anthropocene

Answer 22

An era in which geological time is determined by mankind’s impact on the Earth’s environment, the possibility that with climate change, we would enter a new Dark Ages. That capitalism is so globally and environmentally destructive, and that this is the nature of capitalism.