Unit 3/4 Global Politics Glossary

Question 1

Aid

Answer 1

Refers to the provision of assistance, predominantly monetary, to global actors with the intention of influencing their decisions and actions in order to achieve a specific aim

Question 2

Cosmipolitanism

Answer 2

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 3

Crisis diplomacy

Answer 3

Refers to negotiations between actors in the global political arena in response to an immediate crisis. This most commonly concerns conflicts and natural disasters, but also economic and health crisis

Question 4

Cultural power

Answer 4

refers to a desirable and transportable culture that states can use to achieve ends that might not be achieved through military and political means. It is often linked to soft power and may influence regional relationships and international standing

Question 5

Diplomacy

Answer 5

Refers to the ability to conduct effective negotiations between states without arousing hostility. As a foreign policy instrument of the state, it may be utilised through formal diplomatic channels, such as an ambassador, through its conduct in intergovernmental organisations and from meetings and speeches made by leaders of states

Question 6

Diplomatic power

Answer 6

Refers to the power accrued by states through their relationships with others in the form of alliances, alignments, and international standing. Essentially, it is the ability of a state to influence other global actors by way of discussion and negotiation

Question 7

Economic power

Answer 7

A state’s economic power is often determined by figures such as GDP, which indicate the wealth of a state and its economic activity. Economic power can also be assessed by the state
s reliance on imports of goods and services. Crucially, economic power refers to a state’s ability to influence the actions of another state through finance and trade

Question 8

Economic prosperity

Answer 8

The national interest of economic prosperity is important to a state as it indicates whether a state can weather international economic instability as well as protects and builds the wealth and welfare of its citizensEth

Question 9

Ethics

Answer 9

This seeks to address questions of morality and extends to global politics, as global actors are guided by different moral frameworks/positions. If a state is economically prosperous, it encourages other states to develop relationships with them and bolsters state sovereignty

Question 10

Global governance

Answer 10

Refers to institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements that seek to facilitate cooperation and manage relations, between states. Governance is carried out by both governmental organisations such as United Nations, and non-governmental organisations

Question 11

Globalisation

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Hard power

Answer 12

Refers to power exercised through incentive or coercion to influence the actions of other global actors. This is most commonly exercised through diplomatic, military and/or economic forms

Question 13

Idealism

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Intergovernmental Organisations

Answer 14

An IGO is an organisation composed primarily of states. They are established by a treaty, a founding charter for the organisation, and thus subject to international law. E.g UN, IMF, ICC

Question 15

International Cooperation

Answer 15

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

Question 16

International law

Answer 16

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. Customary international law applies to all global actors. Written legal agreements, such as treaties, are only binding to those who consent to it through explicitly ratification. Some international laws may apply only to states, such as the UN convention against torture, while other may apply directly to citizens, such as war crimes

Question 17

International standing

Answer 17

The international standing of a state is an important national interest as it influences the power of a state has in global politics. Other national interests impact on international standing as well as a state’s role and recognition in intergovernmental organisations and as a prepotent of international law. if a state has poor international standing, it may threaten their sovereignty

Question 17

Justice

Answer 17

Refers to the concept of moral righteosness based on ethics, law, fairness and equity that, importantly, also seeks punishments and or compensation when these ethics are breached. Extends to global politics through international systems of justice, such as the international Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, which seeks to uphold international law and deter future violations

Question 18

Military

Answer 18

Military as a foreign policy instrument refers to military capacity of a state and how this is utilised to achieve its foreign policy objectives. The capacity will depend on the amount of money spent on the military, and the type and caliber of weapons available, the number and expertise of servicemen and women in the armed forces, and the relationship between the military and the state. It may also refer to the placement of armed forces

Question 19

Military power

Answer 19

Refers to the use of a state’s military to exert influence over the actions of other global actors. This may not need to be implemented through a use of force as placement and capacity of the military may be enough to influence other global actors.