Key Terminology

• What is the definition of sovereignty?

  Absolute and unlimited power and authority.
• What is a nation state?

  Autonomous political community held by citizenship.
• Who are non-state actors?

  Participants in international relations that are not states.
• What does globalisation refer to?

  Emergence of interconnectedness in many forms.
• What is economic globalisation?

  Growing economic integration and interdependence of economies.
• What does political globalisation signify?

  Growing importance of international organisations.
• What is cultural globalisation?

  Growing transmission of ideas and values worldwide.
• What does homogenisation and monoculture mean?

  Development of a single, homogeneous culture.
• What is interconnectedness?

  Mutual reliance of two or more groups.
• What is world government?

  Common political authority over states.
• What is global governance?

  Complex process of decision making at a global level.
• What are non-governmental organisations (NGOs)?

  Non-profit, voluntary citizens' groups organized at various levels.
• What is the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP)?

  Conditional loans for countries in economic crises.
• When was the United Nations created?

  In 1945, after the Second World War.
• What is the primary responsibility of the Security Council?

  Maintenance of international peace and security.
• What does NATO stand for?

  North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
• What is the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?

  Foster global monetary cooperation and financial stability.
• What does the World Bank do?

  Offers loans and grants to reduce poverty.
• What is the function of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?

  Regulates international trade.
• What does G7(8) refer to?

  Group of Seven states or Eight states.
• What does G20 refer to?

  Group of Twenty states.
• What is the North-South divide?

  Global socio-economic and political divide.
• What does dependency theory emphasize?

  Structural imbalances within capitalism imposing dependency.
• What is the definition of human rights?

  Rights entitled to people by virtue of being human.
• What is international law?

  Law that governs states and international actors.
• What is the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

  Principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
• What does the International Criminal Court (ICC) do?

  Prosecutes individuals for international crimes.
• What are international tribunals?

  Organisations set up to prosecute specific crimes.
• What are universal human rights?

  Rights that apply to all societies equally.
• What is humanitarian intervention?

  Military intervention for humanitarian objectives.
• What is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)?

  International environmental treaty from 1992.
• What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

  UN body on climate change authority.
• What are global commons?

  Areas and resources beyond national jurisdiction.
• What is the tragedy of the commons?

  Depletion of shared resources by individuals.
• What does sustainability mean?

  The capacity to endure.
• What is sustainable development?

  Development meeting present and future needs.
• What is hard power?

  Use of military and economic means to influence.
• What is soft power?

  Ability to attract and shape preferences through appeal.
• What defines a great power?

  State recognized for global influence and expertise.
• What is a superpower?

  State with dominant position in international relations.