Terms
What is Sovereignty? (Haass)
What is Balance of Power?
What is Hard Power?
Power in the form of direct force
What is the League of Nations?
Following World War I, it was the first international organization created to maintain peace; failed due to U.S not joining, a lack of a centralized army, and the requirement of unanimous voting for passing motions
A pact between Russia + Eastern European countries
What is Anarchy?
A state without a government; a system based on power; anarchy exists due to sovereignty
What is Hegemony?
When a state is unified to a singular gov't, system, ideology, etc.
What is Soft Power?
Power through ruling by influence
--> ex: Chinese propaganda in China
Large Western nations allowing colonies the right to self-determination (decolonization); sparks an arms surplus
What is Classical Realism?
The idea that human nature is violent; states are needed to regulate humanity's violent nature
What are Enforcement Mechanisms?
Things that make people/institutions do things
--> ex: jail, tariffs, etc.
What is Hegemonic Stability Theory?
The idea that a clear hegemony can structure an effective international politics
What is a Credible Commitment?
A way for a leader or government to tie their own hands today so that others believe their promises about tomorrow
--> ex: Paris Climate Accord
What is Bipolarity?
What is the State of Nature (Hobbes)?
The idea that all humans put survival first; without gov't, humanity embraces anarchy
What is Deterrence?
Putting things in place in order to halt another state's actions
--> ex: nuclear weapons
What is Democratic Peace Theory?
The idea that democratic systems create peace, ensure that conflict is mitigated, and officials are put in check; democracies don't fight each other
What is Pax Brittanica?
Britain expands into an unrivaled power; secures hegemony through naval dominance
What is the Marshall Plan?
The transnational effort to help European re-construction in European countries allied with the U.S. following WWII
What are Relative Gains?
How much one state benefits from an agreement or interaction compared to its rivals; a zero sum approach
What is a Security Dilemma?
What is Complex Interdependence?
What is Peace of Westphalia?
Followed the end of the Thirty Year War (1648); introduced the modern principle of sovereignty
What is NATO?
A pact with the U.S. + Western allies; "an attack on one is an attack on all"
What is Self Help?
The principle that sovereign states must rely on their own capabilities to ensure their survival and security