INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TERMS 2025 #11
Theory - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer a realist description of the international system that
suggest there is no common power or central governing structure
Classical Realism - correct 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 - correct answer If all states have a right to do anything to survive, then
there is no moral constant of behaviour to obey
Structural Realism - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer the process by which states work together to solve a
common problem
Liberal internationalism - correct 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 - correct answer Classified by the UN as weapons that
could really **** **** up
Anarchy - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer associated with rationalist thinkers of the 18th century.
Key ideas include: secularism, progress, reason, science, knowledge and freedom
Democratic peace thesis - correct 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 - correct answer an essential element of capitalism that argues for no
barriers to the exchange of goods, services, and investments between states
Empire - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer An idea that suggests that cooperation should begin with
efforts aimed at resolving specific regional or transnational problems.
, Transnational non-state actor - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer condition where states (or people) are affected by
decisions taken by others. Can be symmetric or asymmetric.
Relative gains - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer developed democratic states have a
responsibility to spread liberal values for the benefit of all peoples of earth.
Radical liberalism - correct 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 - correct 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.
Society of states - correct answer an association of sovereign states based on their
common interests, values, and norms.
Cosmopolitan society - correct answer a condition in which international organizations,
transnational corporations and global markets are accountable to the peoples of the
world.
Interparadigm debate - correct answer debate between two theoretical approaches
namely liberalism and realism
Normative theory - correct answer systemic analyses of the ethical, moral, and political
principles, that either governs or ought to govern the organization or conduct of global
Theory - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer a realist description of the international system that
suggest there is no common power or central governing structure
Classical Realism - correct 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 - correct answer If all states have a right to do anything to survive, then
there is no moral constant of behaviour to obey
Structural Realism - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer the process by which states work together to solve a
common problem
Liberal internationalism - correct 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 - correct answer Classified by the UN as weapons that
could really **** **** up
Anarchy - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer associated with rationalist thinkers of the 18th century.
Key ideas include: secularism, progress, reason, science, knowledge and freedom
Democratic peace thesis - correct 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 - correct answer an essential element of capitalism that argues for no
barriers to the exchange of goods, services, and investments between states
Empire - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer An idea that suggests that cooperation should begin with
efforts aimed at resolving specific regional or transnational problems.
, Transnational non-state actor - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer condition where states (or people) are affected by
decisions taken by others. Can be symmetric or asymmetric.
Relative gains - correct 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 - correct 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 - correct answer developed democratic states have a
responsibility to spread liberal values for the benefit of all peoples of earth.
Radical liberalism - correct 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 - correct 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.
Society of states - correct answer an association of sovereign states based on their
common interests, values, and norms.
Cosmopolitan society - correct answer a condition in which international organizations,
transnational corporations and global markets are accountable to the peoples of the
world.
Interparadigm debate - correct answer debate between two theoretical approaches
namely liberalism and realism
Normative theory - correct answer systemic analyses of the ethical, moral, and political
principles, that either governs or ought to govern the organization or conduct of global
