GP Unit 1-3 key terms & case studies

The supreme power or authority of a state to govern itself. Example: The United States is a sovereign nation with its own government and laws.

A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Example: India is the world's largest democracy, with over 900 million eligible voters.

A political and economic system in which property and resources are owned and controlled by the community as a whole, with no individual ownership. Example: The Soviet Union was a communist state from 1922 to 1991.

A system of government in which the state has complete control over all aspects of citizens' lives, including political, social, and cultural activities. Example: North Korea is often cited as a modern-day example of totalitarianism.

A far-right political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, extreme nationalism, and suppression of opposition. Example: Italy under the rule of Benito Mussolini from 1922 to 1943 was a fascist state.

A political and economic system in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned and controlled by the community as a whole, with the goal of achieving greater equality and fairness. Example: Sweden is often cited as an example of a successful socialist country, with high levels of social welfare and public services.

• Hard power refers to the use of military and economic means to influence the behavior or interests of other countries. An example of hard power is the use of military force to achieve political objectives, such as the invasion of Iraq by the United States in 2003.

• One case study of hard power is the Gulf War in 1991, where the United States led a coalition of countries to use military force to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The use of military force demonstrated the United States' ability to project its power and protect its interests in the region.

• Soft power refers to the use of cultural and ideological means to influence the behavior or interests of other countries. An example of soft power is the spread of American culture through Hollywood movies and popular music.

• A case study of soft power is the spread of Japanese culture through anime and manga. The popularity of these cultural exports has led to an increase in tourism to Japan and a positive perception of Japanese culture around the world.

• Smart power refers to the combination of hard and soft power to achieve foreign policy objectives. An example of smart power is the use of economic sanctions and diplomacy to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

• An example of smart power is the Iran nuclear deal in 2015, where the United States and other countries used a combination of economic sanctions and diplomacy to negotiate a deal that would limit Iran's nuclear program. This approach demonstrated the effectiveness of using both hard and soft power to achieve foreign policy objectives.

• Sharp power refers to the use of manipulative and deceptive tactics to influence the behavior or interests of other countries. An example of sharp power is the use of disinformation and propaganda to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election by Russia.

• A case study of sharp power is Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Through the use of disinformation and propaganda, Russia attempted to manipulate the election in favor of their preferred candidate, demonstrating the use of manipulative tactics to influence the behavior of other countries.

• Theory of international relations that emphasizes the role of power and national interest in foreign policy. It argues that states are primarily motivated by self-interest and the pursuit of power, and that international politics is a struggle for power among states.

• A case study for classical realism is the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, where both countries pursued their national interests and engaged in a global competition for power and influence.

• Theory of international relations that combines elements of classical realism with a focus on domestic factors and the role of the state's decision-making process. It argues that a state's foreign policy is influenced not only by its external environment but also by its internal political, economic, and social factors.

• A case study for neoclassical realism is the United States' decision to invade Iraq in 2003, which was influenced by both external factors such as the perceived threat of weapons of mass destruction and internal factors such as the Bush administration's belief in the importance of projecting American power and values abroad.

Sovereignty refers to the supreme power or authority of a state to govern itself without interference from external sources. A case study for sovereignty could be the United States' response to the United Nations' International Criminal Court, where the US refused to recognize the court's jurisdiction over its citizens, citing concerns over sovereignty.

Democracy is a form of government where power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives. A case study for democracy could be the recent presidential election in the United States, where citizens were able to vote for their preferred candidate and participate in the democratic process.

Communism is a political and economic ideology that advocates for a classless society where all property and resources are collectively owned and controlled by the community as a whole. A case study for communism could be the People's Republic of China, which is governed by the Communist Party of China and has a planned economy.

Totalitarianism is a form of government where the state has complete control over all aspects of society and individual freedoms are severely restricted. A case study for totalitarianism could be North Korea, where the government exercises strict control over all aspects of citizens' lives, including their access to information and freedom of movement.

• A political ideology that emphasizes individual freedom, limited government intervention, and free-market capitalism.

• A case study for classical liberalism is the economic policies of the United States during the 19th century, which promoted laissez-faire capitalism and minimal government intervention.

• A modern form of liberalism that emphasizes free-market capitalism, globalization, and deregulation.

• A case study for neoliberalism is the economic policies of Chile under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, which implemented free-market reforms and privatization of state-owned enterprises.

• A global power structure where one country or state has overwhelming power and influence over other nations.

• An example of a unipolar world was the United States during the post-Cold War era, where it was the sole superpower in the world.

• A global power structure where multiple countries or states have significant power and influence over other nations.

• An example of a multipolar world was the pre-World War I era, where several European powers such as Britain, France, Germany, and Russia had significant influence over other nations.

• A global power structure where two countries or states have overwhelming power and influence over other nations.

• An example of a bipolar world was the Cold War era, where the United States and the Soviet Union were the two superpowers that dominated the world.

A system in which states cooperate to prevent or respond to threats to international peace and security.

The economically and politically dominant countries in the global system.

The less developed and less powerful countries in the global system.

The use of threats to prevent an adversary from taking unwanted actions.

A state that is unable to provide basic services and maintain control over its territory.

A state that is vulnerable to conflict and instability due to weak institutions and social divisions.

A political and economic union of 27 European countries.

The system of international institutions, norms, and rules that govern global affairs.

A dominant state or actor in the international system.

The mutual reliance of states and actors on each other in the global system.

The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among people, economies, and societies around the world.

Non-governmental organization, a non-profit organization that operates independently of government.

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations.

The openness and accountability of governments, organizations, and individuals in their actions and decision-making processes.

Absolute poverty refers to a state where an individual or household lacks the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. On the other hand, relative poverty refers to a state where an individual or household has a lower standard of living compared to the rest of society.

An example of absolute poverty is the situation in sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of people live on less than $1.90 per day. In contrast, an example of relative poverty is the situation in the United States, where many people have access to basic necessities but still struggle to make ends meet due to low wages and high living costs.

The Bretton Woods Conference was a meeting of representatives from 44 Allied nations in 1944 to establish a new international monetary system. The conference resulted in the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellite states. Its purpose was to counter the influence of NATO in Europe during the Cold War.

The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed in 1919 that officially ended World War I. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including the payment of reparations and the loss of territory, which many historians believe contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II.

The Peace of Westphalia was a series of treaties signed in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe. It established the principle of state sovereignty and the right of each state to determine its own religion, which helped to bring an end to religious conflicts in Europe.

The IMF provides loans to countries experiencing economic difficulties, while the World Bank provides loans for development projects. However, some critics argue that these institutions have contributed to economic inequality and have imposed harmful conditions on recipient countries.

Capitalism is an economic system in which private individuals or businesses own and operate the means of production and distribution of goods and services. It is characterized by a free market, competition, and the pursuit of profit. i.e singapore

Civil society refers to the organizations and institutions that exist outside of the government and the private sector. These organizations are typically non-profit and work to promote social, cultural, and political change.

Conditional aid is foreign aid that is given to a country with certain conditions attached. These conditions may include economic or political reforms, or specific actions that the recipient country must take.

Aid refers to the provision of resources, such as money, food, or medical supplies, to a country or region in need. Aid can be provided by governments, non-governmental organizations, or individuals.

Corruption refers to the abuse of power for personal gain. It can take many forms, including bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism.

the systematic ways in which social structures harm or disadvantage individuals or groups. A case study for this is the caste system in India, where individuals are born into a certain social class and face discrimination and limited opportunities based on their caste.

a policy of restricting trade between countries through methods such as tariffs and quotas. An example of this is the United States' recent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework for achieving this.

the reliance of a country on foreign aid for its economic development. A case study for this is Haiti, which has received significant amounts of foreign aid but still struggles with poverty and underdevelopment.

book by economist Dambisa Moyo that argues that foreign aid has done more harm than good in Africa, perpetuating poverty and corruption.

a country with a high level of economic development and a high standard of living. Examples include the United States, Japan, and Germany.

a country with a lower level of economic development and a lower standard of living. Examples include India, Nigeria, and Bangladesh.

a country with the lowest level of economic development, high levels of poverty, and weak human resources. Examples include Afghanistan, Haiti, and Somalia.

Colonialism is a practice of domination, which involves the subjugation of one people to another. A case study for colonialism is the British colonization of India.

Neocolonialism refers to the indirect control of a country by a more powerful country through economic and political means. A case study for neocolonialism is the relationship between the United States and many Latin American countries.

Decolonization is the process of undoing colonialism, where a colonized country gains independence and sovereignty. A case study for decolonization is the independence of India from British rule in 1947.

FDI stands for Foreign Direct Investment, which is when a company invests in and manages operations in a foreign country. A case study for FDI is the investment of Toyota in the United States.

the process of improving people's well-being and opportunities. A case study for human development is the improvement of healthcare and education in Rwanda after the genocide.

measures used to assess the progress of a country's development. Examples include GDP, life expectancy, and literacy rates. A case study for development indicators is the comparison of the development of Norway and Haiti.

The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among different groups of people. A case study for inequality is the income gap between the rich and poor in the United States.

These are rights that are inherent to all human beings, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, religion, or any other status. They include civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. An example of universal human rights is the right to life, liberty, and security of person.

This refers to the system of international laws, institutions, and norms that promote and protect human rights. An example of a human rights regime is the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world.

This is a principle that holds that states have a responsibility to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. If a state is unable or unwilling to protect its population, the international community has a responsibility to intervene. An example of R2P is the intervention by NATO forces in Kosovo in 1999 to protect the Albanian population from Serbian forces.

This refers to the implementation of human rights norms and standards through cooperation among multiple states and international organizations. An example of multilateral implementation is the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, which was supported by a majority of member states.

This refers to the implementation of human rights norms and standards through cooperation between two states. An example of bilateral implementation is the agreement between the United States and China in 2015 to improve human rights conditions in China, including the release of political prisoners and the protection of freedom of expression.