Keywords

Question 1

Great Power

Answer 1

A nation that cannot exert hard power or strict economic sanctions without ramifications for their own state
Strong military and economy but not a world leader

Question 2

Super Power

Answer 2

A nation that exerts considerable hard and soft power effectively and quickly nearly everywhere in the world. Without many negative consequences for themselves.

Question 3

Emerging power

Answer 3

A nation that is gaining prominence and increased ability to influence other nations due to improved economic or military conditions.

Question 4

Regional power

Answer 4

A body that exerts power over a particular geographic region, such as a continent, but little influence beyond that.
E.G Council of Europe

Question 5

Soft Power

Answer 5

Ability to influence another body without direct force.
E.g diplomacy and economic persuasion.

Question 6

Hard Power

Answer 6

Ability to influence another body with the use of direct force
E.g. Military or Economic sanctions

Question 7

Smart power

Answer 7

Clever mix of both hard and soft power

Question 8

Sharp power

Answer 8

Power exerted through technology

Question 9

Structural power

Answer 9

Influence over non state IGOs
E.G UN, IMF, NGOs

Question 10

Globalisation

Answer 10

The process by which the world has become so interconnected that a variety of non-state actors, global trends and events challenge territorial borders and state sovereignty

Question 11

Polarity

Answer 11

Ways in which power is distributed in the international system
E.g Unipolar, Bipolar, Multipolar

Question 12

International relations

Answer 12

Relations between states and non states, involving diplomacy, negotiations and treaties/agreements

Question 13

Realism

Answer 13

Theory of global politics that regards nation-states as the central actors in international relations.
Nation states pursue self-interest and there is no authority greater than the nation state that can enforce stability.
International relations tend towards conflict

Question 14

Liberalism

Answer 14

Theory of global politics that is based on an optimistic interpretation of human being’s capacity for cooperation.
Nation states are not simply power maximisers.
Instead they can work together and with IGOs and NGOs, can resolve collective dilemmas and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes

Question 15

International Anarchy

Answer 15

According to Realism, there is no authority greater than the nation-state that can compel obedience, global relations are anarchic.
As a result nation states must protect themselves from other nation-states rather than relying on any superior law-enforcing body to do this for them

Question 16

5 S’s in realism

Answer 16

State
Security
Self-help
Sovereignty
Survival

Question 17

Security Dilemma

Answer 17

States in trying to make themselves more secure, provoke other states to do the same, spiraling into arms races, mutual fear and suspicion resulting in less security

Question 18

Global Governance

Answer 18

Way in which nation-states cooperate in IGOs such as the UN or WTO.
While nation-states don’t surrender sovereignty, they accept there are advantages to be had from negotiating mutually beneficial outcomes to collective problems

Question 19

Complex interdependence

Answer 19

Liberal theory suggesting the interests of nation states are closely connected through a multitude of interactions.
States are connected based on mutually beneficial outcomes, challenging state egoism in international relations

Question 20

World Government

Answer 20

A government which possesses legitimate executive and legislative sovereignty, establishing a supranational authority to which all nation states would be accountable

Question 21

Interconnectedness

Answer 21

A result of globalisation, nation-states have become so interlinked that it has led to a cobweb state of mutual dependence.

Question 22

Anarchical society of states

Answer 22

Hedley Bull - Nation states are the central actors in global politics.
However he argues that they can choose to cooperate with each other in order to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
This creates a global society in spite of the anarchical nature of the international system.

Question 23

Nation-state

Answer 23

An autonomous political organisation defined by the common ties of shared nationality and citizenship

Question 24

Sovereignty

Answer 24

Principle of absolute and unlimited power and the defining characteristic of a state

Question 25

Economic Globalisation

Answer 25

Process by which states across the world become more closely connected and interdependent according to the principles of free trade, leading to greater transnational flow of goods, services and capital.

Question 26

Political Globalisation

Answer 26

Process by which states across the world become more closely connected and interdependent through political measures, leading to more closely politically linked international relations

Question 27

Non-state actors

Answer 27

Entities such as NGOs and IGOs which can hold influence on a global scale over global affairs