INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TERMS |COMPLETE STUDY
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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
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
,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
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, 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.
Relative gains Answer: states are less concerned about whether everyone benefits (absolute
gains) and more concerned about whether someone may benefit more than someone else.
Neo-liberalism Answer: see the international system as archaic but believe the establishment
of international institutions and regimes can manage relations. Purports that actors with
common interests will try to maximize their gains.
Liberalism of privilege Answer: developed democratic states have a responsibility to spread
liberal values for the benefit of all peoples of earth.
Radical liberalism Answer: This is the utopian side of liberalism. Scholars advocated a world
in which states promote values like social justice, economic well being, peace, and ecological
balance. These scholars see the liberal order as predatory and clearly in need of transformation.
Democratic deficit Answer: leaders have created to many policy making institutions at the
global, regional, and national levels with policy-making power led by individuals who are
appointed and not elected. Thus policy decisions are not subject to review by citizens.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
GUIDE WITH 100% ACCURATE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
ACE EVERY TEST | GUARANTEED EXCELLENCE.
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
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
,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
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
, 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.
Relative gains Answer: states are less concerned about whether everyone benefits (absolute
gains) and more concerned about whether someone may benefit more than someone else.
Neo-liberalism Answer: see the international system as archaic but believe the establishment
of international institutions and regimes can manage relations. Purports that actors with
common interests will try to maximize their gains.
Liberalism of privilege Answer: developed democratic states have a responsibility to spread
liberal values for the benefit of all peoples of earth.
Radical liberalism Answer: This is the utopian side of liberalism. Scholars advocated a world
in which states promote values like social justice, economic well being, peace, and ecological
balance. These scholars see the liberal order as predatory and clearly in need of transformation.
Democratic deficit Answer: leaders have created to many policy making institutions at the
global, regional, and national levels with policy-making power led by individuals who are
appointed and not elected. Thus policy decisions are not subject to review by citizens.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
