Key Terms

Question 1

Globalisation

Answer 1

Refers to the acceleration and intensification of exchanges of goods, services, labour and capital, which promote global interdependence. These have been facilitated by rapid changes in communication and technology.

Question 2

State

Answer 2

Traditionally this term refers to the central actor in global politics. States possess a permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty. States are not necessarily culturally homogenous, for example, Australia.

Question 3

Nation

Answer 3

A group of people claiming common bonds based on culture, language and history. Some nations have their own state, such as the Japanese, while others want their own state such as the Tibetans and Kurds

Question 4

Trans-National Corporations

Answer 4

Trans National Corporations (TNCs)
-A TNC is a company whose operations and investments extend beyond the boundaries of the state in which it is registered (i.e., it conducts business and investment in more than one state)

Note: for purposes of the course: TNCs are not Non-state actors. Non state actors strictly refer to legal organisations (e.g., Amnesty) and global terrorist movements (e.g., Boko Haram)

Question 5

Global Governance

Answer 5

Institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements that seek to facilitate cooperation and manage relations between states. Governance is carried out by both governmental organisations like the United nations and non-governmental organisations

-The ongoing need for states to pursue security and stability has brought about increased examination of the role of global governance (study design blurb)

Question 6

Multilateralism

Answer 6

Refers to a system of coordinating relations between three or more global actors, usually in the pursuit of specific objectives

Question 7

Bilateralism

Answer 7

Refers to a system of coordinating relations between two global actors, usually in pursuit of specific objectives

Question 8

Unilateralism

Answer 8

Refers to the policy of a state acting alone in regards to upholding/defending their national interest, with little or no regard for the views or interests of other global actors.

Question 9

Non State Actors

Answer 9

Can be any organisation that has significant political influence without being associates with only one state
-In this way, the non-state actors are able to transcend state boundaries

Question 10

Power

Answer 10

Refers to the ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another. Power can be exercised in a range of types

Question 11

Types of Power

Answer 11

Military Power - Refers to the use of a state’s military to exert influence over the actions of other global actors
Economic power - Refers to a state’s ability to influence the actions of other states through finance and trade
Political power - Refers to the use of a state’s internal political machinery to exert influence over the actions of others.
Diplomatic power - Refers to the ability of a state to influence other global actions by way of discussion and negotiation
Cultural power - Refers to a desirable and transportable culture that states can use to achieve ends that might not be achieved through military and political means

Question 12

Sovereignty

Answer 12

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the authority to represent the territorial entity within the international community. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (for example, secessionist groups) or externally (for example, one state invades another)

Question 13

Types of sovereignty

Answer 13

Political sovereignty: The ability to exercise effective control over the political system of a state
Legislative sovereignty: The ability to exercise effective control over the creation of laws within a state
Territorial sovereignty: The ability to exercise effective control over the borders/defined territory of a state
Judicial sovereignty: The ability to exercise effective control over the interpretation and application of laws within a state
Economic sovereignty: The ability to exercise effective control over the economy of a state
-Monetary sovereignty: The ability to exercise effective control over the monetary policy of a state (e.g., currency, interest rates)
-Fiscal sovereignty: The ability to exercise effective control over the fiscal policy of a state (e.g., government spending, taxation)