Key Terms

Question 1

Nation

Answer 1

A group of people who claim common bonds based on a shared culture, language and history
(homogenous and not defined by sovereignty)

Question 2

State

Answer 2

Poses a permanent population, defined territory and have recognised sovereignty with a functioning government and economy

Question 3

Sovereignty

Answer 3

The legitimate, widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within defined borders

Question 4

Power

Answer 4

Ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor

Question 5

Global governance

Answer 5

The institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements that seek to facilitate cooperation and manage relations between states

Question 6

Multilateralism

Answer 6

System of coordinating relations between three or more actors in the pursuit of specific objectives

Question 7

Globalisation

Answer 7

The acceleration and intensification of the exchange of goods, services, labour and capital, which promotes global interdependence, as has been facilitated by rapid changes in technology and communications

Question 8

National Interests

Answer 8

All-embracing concept to justify policy preferences and actions, and includes the goals or objectives of foreign policy

Question 9

Security

Answer 9

Traditionally refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty. Has evolved to include softer forms of security, such as access to resources (economic security) and protection of ecosystems (environmental security)

Question 10

Idealism

Answer 10

School of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by moral principle as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations

Question 11

Pragmatism

Answer 11

School of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all by practical and pragmatic considerations as opposed to moral principles

Question 12

Realism

Answer 12

Ideology that involves states prioritising their specific interests and needs over that of the global community

Question 13

Cosmopolitanism

Answer 13

Ideology that humanity is one single community regardless of state, culture or levels of economic development. All people are equal and should be treated equally.

Question 14

Justice

Answer 14

The concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness and equity that, importantly, also seeks punishment when ethics are breached. Extends to global politics through international systems of justice such as the ICC and ICJ

Question 15

Ethics

Answer 15

Seeks to address questions of morality and extends to global politics as global actors have underlying ethics to their actions (realism or cosmopolitanism)

Question 16

International Law

Answer 16

A body of rules established by a custom or written legal agreements that are accepted as binding upon the international community
(Customary international law applies to all global actors)

Question 17

Crisis Diplomacy

Answer 17

Refers to negotiations between actors in the global political arena in response to an immediate crisis commonly concerning conflicts and natural disasters but also economic and health crises

Question 18

International Cooperation

Answer 18

Refers to occasions when global actors work together to achieve common ideals and goals

Question 19

Unilateralism

Answer 19

Refers to the policy of a state acting alone, with little regard for the views or interests of other global actors, in pursuit of foreign policy objectives