Political Terms

Accountability – A situation in which

those in power are held responsible
for their decisions. There is a
distinction to be made between
horizontal and vertical accountability.
The former requires a system of
checks and balances between the
three branches of government.
Vertical accountability entails a role
for citizens in acting as a limit upon
the powers of government.
Adaptation – Changes made in
order to accommodate different
circumstances (such as living with
the consequences of climate
change). Strategies consistent
with adaptation include the
relocation of settlements in areas
most at risk from climate change.
Adaptation therefore entails
changes within the processes,
practices and structures dealing
with environmental degradation.
Anarchy – A condition in which states are
free to pursue their interests regardless
of any wider obligations towards other
members of the international
community.
Ultimately, there is no governing
institution with the authority to resolve
disputes between states and non-state
actors.
The realist school of thought tends to
emphasize the importance of anarchy on
the behavior of states, whilst liberals
claim the effects are somewhat
exaggerated.
Annexation – The acquisition of
another state’s territory by
force. An annexation is a
unilateral act in which territory
is seized rather than via cession
(given or sold via a Treaty).
Annexation can be legitimized
via general recognition by
international bodies (such as
intergovernmental institutions).
Anthropocentrism – A
worldview associated
with the belief that
humans are custodians
of the Earth’s resources.
Anthropocentrism
emphasizes the elevated
status of humans within
the animal kingdom.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) – ASEAN is a regional inter-
governmental organization that
encourages political, economic, and
security cooperation among its
members.

The group has held a key role in Asian

economic and, to a certain extent,
political integration. Equally, ASEAN has
led negotiations amongst Pacific-Asian
nations to form one of the largest free
trading blocs the world has ever seen.
Assimilation – A process in
which different cultures are
absorbed within the broader
culture of that society.

Assimilation places social

harmony above the diversity
championed by integration and
therefore offers a counter to
the clash of civilizations thesis.
Authority – The
legitimate right to
author decisions and
rule over others.
When power is
exercised without
legitimate authority,
it can lead to conflict.
Autocracy – A system of government
in which a single leader or party owns
supreme and absolute power. Once
viewed favorably, the term autocracy Class conflict – A Marxist term used
is often considered in a negative to describe the political struggle
sense due to its association with between the bourgeoisie and the
dictatorial regimes. proletariat.
Bipolarity – The distribution of power within
international relations characterized by two Civil War – An intra-state conflict between
superpowers each with their sphere of groups, be they ethnic, political, religious,
influence. The term can be applied in a global etc. Unlike conventional warfare, it is
or regional sense. Bipolarity often entails conflict within rather than between states.
proxy wars rather than confrontation.
Colonialism – The settlement
of a foreign country via an
imperial power. Colonialism is
characterized by the
exploitation of resources and
the separation of the
indigenous population from
settlers. The term is often used
interchangeably with
imperialism.
Communism – An economic
and political system that is
based on the common
ownership of the means of
production. During the Cold
War, the Soviet Union
implemented a state-centric
economic system based on
common ownership.
Constructivism – A theoretical
perspective built upon the assumption
that elements of International Relations
are historically and socially constructed.

According to Alexander Wendt (1992),

even the realist concept of power
politics is a social construct. In other
words, anarchy is itself a social construct
of the state system and can therefore be
transformed. Constructivism has
emerged as a major school of thought
within International Relations with many
different strands.
Conquest – The acquisition of territory based on force.
Corruption – Dishonest and fraudulent behavior amongst those in
a position of power who use their position for personal benefit.
Corrupt leaders often divert economic resources towards a
privileged few to strengthen their grip on power.

Cultural Globalization – The transmission of ideas, meanings, and

values around the world in a manner that extends the scope and
scale of transnational relations. The process is characterized by the
consumption of a common culture via the media.
Cyberwarfare – The use (or threat) of cyber weapons against another to
cause digital harm. Cyber hostilities may lead to conventional warfare
between two or more states. For instance, Israel and Iran have been
victims (and perpetrators) of cyberwarfare operations.
Defensive realism – The strand of realist thought that claims
the anarchic structure of global politics encourages states to
prioritize their national security. Defensive realism is
associated with theorists from the neorealist perspective such
as Kenneth Waltz. Defensive realism emphasizes the centrality
of the security dilemma and that military expansionism
undermines the primary objectives of the state.
Diplomatic Immunity – The legal principle in which a
diplomat is exempt from certain laws within the state
in which they are working.

Ecocentrism – A belief-system associated with the

environmental movement that advocates an equal
relationship between human beings and the environment.
According to their outlook, humans are part of a wider whole
with no particular elevated status. Ecocentrism is associated
with deep green ecology.
Ethnic Cleansing – The forced
removal of ethnic, racial and
religious groups from any given
territory by another ethnic
group. Ethnic cleansing may
occur on the basis of forced
migration, ethnic dilution and
intimidation. The term has
become more prevalent since
the mid-1990s.
Exploitation – A situation in
which a dominant group
manipulates another. The term
is associated with dependency
theorists who emphasize the
role of a transnational social
class, and the world systems
perspective which highlights the
role played by powerful states
within the global economy.
G2 – A term used to denote the political and
economic ties between Washington and Beijing.

G4 – The four countries that campaign for a

permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The G4
consists of Germany, Japan, Brazil and India. The G4
is opposed by the uniting for consensus movement
under the leadership of Italy.
G5 – The group of five nations who seek to promote dialogue and
understanding between developing and developed countries. The G5
consists of the emerging economies of China, India, Brazil, Mexico and
South Africa.

G7 – An informal series of meetings between seven of the most

developed economies. The G7 relies upon the goodwill of its members
as its decisions are non-binding. The G7 is notable for the exclusion of
China and as a body that represents the ‘West.’
G20 – An international forum of the most advanced
economies in the world, the EU and representatives
from the IMF and World Bank. The aim of the G20 is to
address issues surrounding global financial stability.
The G20 is widely seen as a more proactive and
effective institution than the G7.
Gaza Strip – A densely-populated territory claimed in a legal sense by
the State of Palestine (along with the West Bank). In 2006, the
electoral success of Hamas provoked an Israeli-led economic and
political boycott. In a de facto sense, the State of Israel also restricts
the movement of people residing within Gaza.

Geneva Conventions – A set of treaties and protocols that provide an

agreed standard for humanitarian treatment in warfare. The Geneva
Conventions outline the fundamental rights of wartime prisoners,
protections for the wounded and safeguards for civilians.
Globalization – A political system
characterized by mutual dependence
within the political, cultural, and
economic realms.
The significance of globalization is a
source of disagreement between the
dominant theoretical perspectives within
International Relations. The impact of
globalization has been greatest upon the
concept of sovereignty due to the
growing salience of non-state actors, and
the extent to which states are
interdependent.
Good Governance – A condition in which foreign aid is
provided to those countries that seek to address problems
such as corruption. The provision of financial assistance is
therefore conditional upon improvements made to
governance within recipient countries.

Great Power – A country with considerable influence within

international relations. The term is used interchangeably
with major powers
Human Rights – Those rights are based upon an entitlement by
being human. They are typically considered universal and can be
the basis for humanitarian intervention. Since the turn of the
century, there has been an increase in the number of institutions
and agreements that seek to uphold human right

Hyperpower – A state that is dominant in every domain of

international relations. As such, it is of greater importance than a
mere superpower. The United States has been described as a
hyperpower, although this has in part been undermined by the
emergence of China.
Imperialism – Extending power and dominion over
territories via acquisition. The three main forms of
imperialism are colonies, protectorates, and spheres of
influence.
International Court of Justice (ICJ) – The International Court of
Justice aims to settle disputes between states by international law.
The ICJ also offers advisory opinions and consists of a panel made
up of 15 judges elected by the UN. The effectiveness of the ICJ, also
known as ‘The World Court’, is however undermined by the fact
that it cannot initiate cases and needs to gain support from the
UNSC to enforce its decisions.
International Criminal Tribunals – Institutions established to prosecute war
criminals in certain war-torn areas. For instance, the international tribunal into
the former Yugoslavia brought high-profile prosecutions against Slobodan
Milosevic and Radovan Karadzic. The former was the first Head of State to be
placed on trial for war crimes. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
also convicted its former Prime Minister Jean Kambanda.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) – An international financial

institution that lies at the epicenter of the Washington Consensus.
The chief objectives of the IMF are to facilitate international trade
and provide financial assistance. Funding for the IMF derives from
quotas and loans.
Liberalism – A theoretical perspective that
claims that international relations are
characterized by complex
interdependence, global governance, and
rational behavior. In contrast to Realism,
the liberal perspective adopts a normative
tone.
For instance, liberal figures advocate
democratic peace and commercial
(capitalist) peace theories. Liberals are
also supportive of international
institutions and globalization. The liberal
approach is therefore centered upon
peace, prosperity, and progress.
Nation – A community of
people who typically
share a common national
identity, history, religion,
and language.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – An
intergovernmental organization charged with
implementing the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in
1949. NATO is centered upon the concept of
collective defense in which an attack on one is
considered to be an attack upon all.

Members therefore accept the principle of mutual

defense in response to an external attack. Since the
end of the Cold War, the organization has sought to
rebrand itself as a more humanitarian organization.
The organization has also expanded into the former
Soviet sphere of influence and has implemented
military action in response to a unanimous position
adopted by the UNSC (e.g. enforcing a no-fly zone
over Libya in 2011).
Sovereignty – The
authoritative right of a
governing body to be
the ultimate decision
maker and exercise
power within its own
borders without
interference from
external bodies.
Thank You