Basic & Power
A state’s authority to govern itself without outside control.
Sovereignty
This theory emphasizes state survival, security, and competition for power.
Realism
A politically organized territory with a permanent population, defined borders, a government, and sovereignty.
State
The European organization focused on economic and political cooperation.
European Union
Security, economic prosperity, influence, and values are examples of these goals a country seeks to protect.
National interests
Countries depend on one another, so an oil shortage in one country raises prices in others.
Interdependence
This theory emphasizes cooperation through shared interests, trade, and international institutions.
Liberalism
An organization formed by governments, such as the United Nations.
Intergovernmental organization / IGO
The alliance whose main purpose is collective defense.
NATO
This foreign-policy ideology emphasizes U.S. leadership, military strength, and promoting democracy abroad.
Neoconservatism
Military threats, sanctions, and payments used to change another country’s behavior are examples of this.
Hard power
This theory emphasizes how ideas, identities, and norms shape state behavior.
Constructivism
An organization independent of governments, such as Doctors Without Borders.
Nongovernmental organization / NGO
The UN body responsible for international peace and security, where permanent members can veto decisions.
Security Council
This approach emphasizes deterrence, alliances, security, and relative power.
Neorealism
A country attracts support through its culture and respected political values.
Soft Power
This approach examines whose voices are excluded and how gender shapes power and security.
Feminism
This approach emphasizes conflict between economic classes, especially owners and workers.
Marxism
Rules, institutions, and cooperation used to address problems across national borders.
Global Governance
This approach argues that self-interested states can cooperate through institutions, rules, monitoring, and verified agreements.
Neoliberalism Instutionalism
A strategy that combines hard and soft power.
Smart Power
This theory examines how unequal economic relationships keep poorer countries dependent on wealthier countries.
Dependency theory
This thinker emphasized how powerful groups shape beliefs through schools, media, and culture.
Antonio Gramsci
Shared authority above states in agreed areas, as seen in parts of the EU.
Supranational authority
This term means the decisions and actions a government takes in its relationships with other countries.
Foreign Policy