Unit #1 Core Concepts Flashcards
Autocracy
A system of government where one person holds absolute power
Democracy
A system of government where the people hold power
Anocracy
A mixed or unstable form of government combining elements of both democracy and autocracy
Globalization
The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence between countries economically, culturally, politically, and socially.
Urbanization
The increasing movement of people from rural areas to cities
IGOs (Intergovernmental Organizations)
Organizations composed of member states that cooperate on political
NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations)
Private organizations that operate independently from the government to address social
Regionalization of World Politics
The process through which regions become more politically or economically integrated
Ethnolinguistic Groups
Groups of people who share a common ethnic origin and language
Informal IGO
An intergovernmental organization that operates without formal treaties or agreements between member states.
Formal IGO
A legally established intergovernmental organization created by treaties or agreements
Civil Society
The network of non-governmental organizations
Polarization
The process of increasing division in society
Right Wing
A political ideology typically associated with conservatism
Left Wing
A political ideology associated with progressivism
Unilateral Approach
A strategy where one state or actor acts independently
Bilateral Approach
A diplomatic or policy approach involving two parties or states working together on an issue.
Multilateral Approach
A strategy where multiple countries or actors collaborate on an issue
Agency Theory
theory of how representatives like governments or international organizations (agents) act on behalf of citizens or states (principals). It highlights challenges such as ensuring agents prioritize the principals’ interests rather than their own, often requiring mechanisms like accountability and transparency to align goals.
Top Leader
A leader at the highest level of government or an organization
Middle Leader
A leader who manages and coordinates policies or initiatives between top leaders and grassroots levels.
Grassroots Leaders
Leaders who emerge from the community level and are directly involved in local issues and social movements.
Pondering
The act of deeply considering or reflecting on political decisions
Lobbying
The process of influencing or persuading government officials to adopt certain policies or actions in favor of specific interests.
Polarization
The division of society into two opposing groups with extreme viewpoints
Dogmatism
The tendency to hold beliefs rigidly without considering other perspectives
Unipolar Power
A global system in which one state or actor holds dominant power over all others
Bipolar Power
A global system where two major powers dominate the political landscape
Multipolar Power
A system in which multiple states or actors hold significant power
Structural Power
The ability of a state or actor to shape the global or regional system by influencing the rules
Relational Power
The ability of a state or actor to influence others through its relationships
Cultural Power
The ability to shape norms
Dependency Theory
A theory suggesting that poorer countries are dependent on wealthier countries due to historical exploitation and unequal economic relationships.
Traditional Sovereignty
The principle that a state has ultimate authority within its own borders and is free from outside interference.
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that the people are the ultimate source of political authority
Pooled Sovereignty
When states share or pool their sovereignty in certain areas
Responsible Sovereignty
The idea that sovereignty comes with the responsibility to protect citizens’ rights and promote global cooperation.
Indigenous Sovereignty
The right of indigenous peoples to govern themselves
Internal Sovereignty
The authority of a state to govern its own territory and people without interference from external actors.
External Sovereignty
The recognition by other states or actors of a state’s independence and right to participate in international relations.
Normative Legitimacy
The idea that a government’s authority is considered legitimate because it aligns with certain moral or ethical norms.
Procedural Legitimacy
Legitimacy based on the fairness and transparency of the decision-making process
Role-Based Legitimacy
Legitimacy derived from the established roles and responsibilities of leaders or institutions
Weber’s Rational-Legal Legitimacy
Legitimacy based on established laws
Weber’s Traditional Legitimacy
Legitimacy derived from long-standing traditions
Weber’s Charismatic Legitimacy
Legitimacy based on the personal qualities
Jackson and Gaus Venn Diagram
A framework used to analyze different forms of sovereignty and the relationships between states
Global Governance
The system of international cooperation and regulation that addresses global challenges
Post-Colonialism
A theoretical perspective that critiques the lasting impacts of colonialism on global power dynamics
Intersectional Feminism
A feminist approach that considers multiple aspects of identity
Radical Feminism
A feminist theory that advocates for fundamental changes to the social
Neo-Marxism
exploitation of developing countries by wealthy nations and multinational corporations, suggesting that global power dynamics maintain economic and social inequalities.(including ideology and beliefs)
Environmentalism
A movement focused on protecting the environment
Social Constructivism
international relations are shaped by social interactions, shared beliefs, and norms rather than just material forces. It argues that the way states and actors perceive the world and their roles in it influences their behavior and the structure of global politics.
Liberalism
A political theory that advocates for individual freedoms
Defensive Realism
A theory in international relations that suggests states seek security and avoid conflict
Offensive Realism
A theory that argues states seek to maximize their power and influence
Interdependence
The idea that states and societies are interconnected and rely on each other for economic
