Key terms

Question 1

Justice

Answer 1

Concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness and equity that, importantly, also seeks punishment when said ethics are breached. Extends to global politics through international systems of justice, such as the
International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, which seek to uphold international law and deter future violations.

Question 2

Ethics

Answer 2

Seeks to address questions of morality. This extends to global politics on the basis that a common humanity binds all human beings beyond individuals in states to the world as a whole, thus necessitating certain actions.

Question 3

International society

Answer 3

Notion of a ‘society of states’ in which law, order and cooperation are the basis of interaction, and that states work towards achieving common ideals and goals. The
extent to which a functioning and an effective international society exists is contentious.

Question 4

National interest

Answer 4

Used as an all-embracing concept to justify policy preferences and actions, and includes the goals or objectives of foreign policy.