INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TERMS
Theory - ANSWER a proposed explanation of an event or behaviour of an actor in
the real world. Definitions range from "an unproven assumption" to "a working
hypothesis that proposed an explanation for an action or behaviour." In
international relations we have intuitive theories, empirical theories, and normative
theories.
Sovereignty - ANSWER the condition of a state having control and authority over
its own territory and being free from any higher legal authority. It is related to, but
distinct from, the condition of a government being free from any political
constraints.
Civil society - ANSWER (1) The totality of all individuals and groups in a society
who are not acting as participants in any government institutions, or (2) all
individuals and groups who are neither participants in government nor acting in the
interests of commercial companies.
Ethic of responsibility - ANSWER For historical realists, an ethic of responsibility
represents the limits of ethics in international politics; it involves the weighing up
of consequences and the realization that positive outcomes may result from amoral
actions.
Security dilemma - ANSWER in an anarchic international system one with no
common central power, when one state seeks to improve its security it creates
insecurity in other states.
,Anarchic system - ANSWER a realist description of the international system that
suggest there is no common power or central governing structure
Classical Realism - ANSWER the drive for power and the will to dominate are the
fundamental aspects of human nature. The behaviour of the state as a self-seeking
egoist is understood to be merely a reflection of the characteristics of the people
that comprise that state.
Moral relativism - ANSWER If all states have a right to do anything to survive,
then there is no moral constant of behaviour to obey
Structural Realism - ANSWER international politics is essentially a struggle for
power, but they do not endorse the classical realist assumption that this is a result
from human nature. They attribute security competition and interstate conflict to
the lack of an overarching authority above states and the relative distribution of
power in the international system.
Neoclassical Realism - ANSWER a version of realism that combines both
structural factors such as the distribution of power and unit-level factors such as
the interest of states.
Liberalism - ANSWER a political orientation that favors social progress by reform
and by changing laws rather than by revolution. In essence it argues for human
rights, parliamentary democracy, and free trade - while also maintaining that all
such goals must begin within a state.
,Multilateralism - ANSWER the process by which states work together to solve a
common problem
Liberal internationalism - ANSWER a perspective that seeks to transform
international relations to emphasize peace, individual freedom, and prosperity, and
to replicate domestic models of liberal democracy at the international level
Weapons of mass destruction - ANSWER Classified by the UN as weapons that
could really **** **** up
Anarchy - ANSWER a system operating in the absence of any central government.
It does not imply chaos but, in realist theory, the absence of political authority
Imperialism - ANSWER the practice of foreign conquest and rule in the context of
global relations of hierarchy and subordination. It can lead to the establishment of
an empire.
Enlightenment - ANSWER associated with rationalist thinkers of the 18th century.
Key ideas include: secularism, progress, reason, science, knowledge and freedom
Democratic peace thesis - ANSWER Makes two claims (1) liberal polities exhibit
restraint in their relations with other liberal polities (2) they are imprudent in
relations with authoritarian states
Free trade - ANSWER an essential element of capitalism that argues for no barriers
to the exchange of goods, services, and investments between states
, Empire - ANSWER a distinct type o political entity, which may or may not be a
state, possessing both a home territory and foreign territories. This may include
conquered nations and colonies
Collective security - ANSWER a security arrangement in which all states
cooperate collectively to provide security for all by the actions of all against any
states within the groups which might challenge the existing order by using
sanctions and force.
Integration - ANSWER a process of ever-closer union between states, in a regional
or international context. The process often begins with cooperation to solve
technical problems.
Functionalism - ANSWER An idea that suggests that cooperation should begin
with efforts aimed at resolving specific regional or transnational problems.
Transnational non-state actor - ANSWER any non-state actor or nongovernmental
actor from one country that has relations with any actor from another country or
with an international organization.
Pluralism - ANSWER political power and influence in society does no belong just
to the elite groups in various sectors of society, but I distributed among a wide
number of groups in society. It can also mean recognition of ethnic, racial, and
cultural diversity.
Interdependence - ANSWER condition where states (or people) are affected by
decisions taken by others. Can be symmetric or asymmetric.
Theory - ANSWER a proposed explanation of an event or behaviour of an actor in
the real world. Definitions range from "an unproven assumption" to "a working
hypothesis that proposed an explanation for an action or behaviour." In
international relations we have intuitive theories, empirical theories, and normative
theories.
Sovereignty - ANSWER the condition of a state having control and authority over
its own territory and being free from any higher legal authority. It is related to, but
distinct from, the condition of a government being free from any political
constraints.
Civil society - ANSWER (1) The totality of all individuals and groups in a society
who are not acting as participants in any government institutions, or (2) all
individuals and groups who are neither participants in government nor acting in the
interests of commercial companies.
Ethic of responsibility - ANSWER For historical realists, an ethic of responsibility
represents the limits of ethics in international politics; it involves the weighing up
of consequences and the realization that positive outcomes may result from amoral
actions.
Security dilemma - ANSWER in an anarchic international system one with no
common central power, when one state seeks to improve its security it creates
insecurity in other states.
,Anarchic system - ANSWER a realist description of the international system that
suggest there is no common power or central governing structure
Classical Realism - ANSWER the drive for power and the will to dominate are the
fundamental aspects of human nature. The behaviour of the state as a self-seeking
egoist is understood to be merely a reflection of the characteristics of the people
that comprise that state.
Moral relativism - ANSWER If all states have a right to do anything to survive,
then there is no moral constant of behaviour to obey
Structural Realism - ANSWER international politics is essentially a struggle for
power, but they do not endorse the classical realist assumption that this is a result
from human nature. They attribute security competition and interstate conflict to
the lack of an overarching authority above states and the relative distribution of
power in the international system.
Neoclassical Realism - ANSWER a version of realism that combines both
structural factors such as the distribution of power and unit-level factors such as
the interest of states.
Liberalism - ANSWER a political orientation that favors social progress by reform
and by changing laws rather than by revolution. In essence it argues for human
rights, parliamentary democracy, and free trade - while also maintaining that all
such goals must begin within a state.
,Multilateralism - ANSWER the process by which states work together to solve a
common problem
Liberal internationalism - ANSWER a perspective that seeks to transform
international relations to emphasize peace, individual freedom, and prosperity, and
to replicate domestic models of liberal democracy at the international level
Weapons of mass destruction - ANSWER Classified by the UN as weapons that
could really **** **** up
Anarchy - ANSWER a system operating in the absence of any central government.
It does not imply chaos but, in realist theory, the absence of political authority
Imperialism - ANSWER the practice of foreign conquest and rule in the context of
global relations of hierarchy and subordination. It can lead to the establishment of
an empire.
Enlightenment - ANSWER associated with rationalist thinkers of the 18th century.
Key ideas include: secularism, progress, reason, science, knowledge and freedom
Democratic peace thesis - ANSWER Makes two claims (1) liberal polities exhibit
restraint in their relations with other liberal polities (2) they are imprudent in
relations with authoritarian states
Free trade - ANSWER an essential element of capitalism that argues for no barriers
to the exchange of goods, services, and investments between states
, Empire - ANSWER a distinct type o political entity, which may or may not be a
state, possessing both a home territory and foreign territories. This may include
conquered nations and colonies
Collective security - ANSWER a security arrangement in which all states
cooperate collectively to provide security for all by the actions of all against any
states within the groups which might challenge the existing order by using
sanctions and force.
Integration - ANSWER a process of ever-closer union between states, in a regional
or international context. The process often begins with cooperation to solve
technical problems.
Functionalism - ANSWER An idea that suggests that cooperation should begin
with efforts aimed at resolving specific regional or transnational problems.
Transnational non-state actor - ANSWER any non-state actor or nongovernmental
actor from one country that has relations with any actor from another country or
with an international organization.
Pluralism - ANSWER political power and influence in society does no belong just
to the elite groups in various sectors of society, but I distributed among a wide
number of groups in society. It can also mean recognition of ethnic, racial, and
cultural diversity.
Interdependence - ANSWER condition where states (or people) are affected by
decisions taken by others. Can be symmetric or asymmetric.
