Key terms

Question 1

Sovereignty

Answer 1

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders

Question 2

Power

Answer 2

Refers to the ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another

Question 3

Hard Power

Answer 3

Refers to power exercised through incentive or coercion to influence the actions of other global actors

Question 4

Soft power

Answer 4

Refers to the ability of one global actor to shape the actions of other global actors via attraction, with the absence of incentive or coercion

Question 5

Idealism

Answer 5

Refers to a school of thought in which policy is influenced primarily by an ideological principle, as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations

Question 6

National Interests

Answer 6

Pursued by states to ensure the survival and potential growth of that state
-Economic prosperity
-National security
-Regional relationships
-International standing

Question 7

Pragmatism

Answer 7

A school of thought in which policy is influenced primarily by practical considerations, as opposed to a particular ideology

Question 8

Security

Answer 8

Refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty, most commonly achieved through the use of military power

Question 9

Foreign Policy Instruments

Answer 9

The specific tools employed by a state as part of its foreign policy strategy, in order to fulfil its national interest goals
-Trade
-Aid
-Military
-Diplomacy

Question 10

Nation

Answer 10

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 11

State

Answer 11

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

Question 12

TNC

Answer 12

A TNC is a company whose operations and investments extend beyond the boundaries of the state in which it is registered

Question 13

Global governance

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Multilateralism

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Unilateralism

Answer 15

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 16

Globalisation

Answer 16

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 17

Non-state actors

Answer 17

can be any organisation that has significant political influence without being associates with only one state

Question 18

Realism

Answer 18

Involves states (and other global actors) prioritising their specific interest and needs over those of the global community

Question 19

Cosmopolitanism

Answer 19

Reflects a desire among global actors to cooperate to reach common goals and outcomes to meet challenges that are presented to the global community

Question 20

International law

Answer 20

Traditionally only relating to states, international law is a body of rules established by custom or written legal agreements that are accepted as binding upon the international community.

Question 21

Justice

Answer 21

Refers to the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness and equity that, importantly, also seeks punishment and/or compensation when these ethics are breached

Question 22

Ethics

Answer 22

This seeks to address questions of morality and extends to global politics, as global actors are guided by different moral frameworks/positions

Question 23

International cooperation

Answer 23

Refers to occasions when global actors collaborate and interact with each other in the pursuit of reciprocal common ideals, goals and interests

Question 24

Crisis diplomacy

Answer 24

Refers to negotiations between actors in the global political arena in response to an immediate crisis