The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.
A political entity characterized by a defined territory, population, government, and sovereignty, often sharing common cultural traits.
A series of treaties ending the Thirty Years’ War in Europe, establishing the principles of state sovereignty and modern international relations.
Mutual reliance between states, often through economic, political, and security connections.
The process of increasing interactions and cooperation among states, businesses, and organizations across borders.
Systems and institutions that manage global issues through cooperation between states, IGOs, NGOs, etc.
Sets of rules, norms, and decision-making procedures that shape international relations in specific areas (e.g., climate, trade).
Companies that operate in multiple countries, influencing global economics and politics.
Independent organizations working on social, political, or environmental issues, often across borders.
Organizations formed by states to work on common goals (e.g., UN, WTO, EU).
A concept where power is distributed to prevent any one state from dominating others.
A realist principle where states rely on their own resources for security.
In international relations, the absence of a central authority above states, leading to a self-regulating system.
The increasing interconnectedness of the world through trade, culture, technology, and politics.
The weakening of the connection between culture, identity, and specific geographic locations.
A severe worldwide economic crisis triggered by the collapse of financial institutions, leading to recessions globally.
Collaborative arrangements between government agencies across countries to address global issues.
An association of emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The policy of extending a country’s power through colonization, military force, or economic dominance.
A global system based on liberal principles like democracy, free markets, and international cooperation, led by Western powers post-WWII.
A measure of a country’s economic output per person, indicating living standards.
A conflict where a country mobilizes all available resources for war, blurring the lines between military and civilian targets.
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s principles for peace after WWI, promoting self-determination and the League of Nations.
The right of peoples to choose their own sovereignty and political status.
The peace treaty that ended WWI, imposing heavy reparations on Germany and redrawing European borders.
A global economic crisis marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, and deflation.
A policy of conceding to aggressive demands to maintain peace, often associated with pre-WWII diplomacy towards Nazi Germany.
A political ideology emphasizing pride, loyalty, and devotion to one’s nation, often tied to self-governance.
A system of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s.
Dominance of one state or group over others, whether economically, militarily, or culturally.
A period of geopolitical tension between the U.S. (capitalist bloc) and the Soviet Union (communist bloc).
U.S. policy to contain communism by providing political, military, and economic assistance to threatened nations.
A U.S. strategy during the Cold War to prevent the spread of communism.
U.S. program providing economic aid to rebuild European economies after WWII.
Soviet attempt to cut off Western access to Berlin, countered by the Western Allies’ Berlin Airlift.
A military alliance formed in 1949 for collective defense against threats, initially the Soviet Union.
A military alliance of communist states led by the USSR, formed in response to NATO.
A period of relaxed tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War (1970s).
The re-establishment of harmonious relations between countries after conflict or tension.
A Soviet policy of political openness and transparency introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s.
Gorbachev’s policy of economic restructuring in the Soviet Union.
Soviet policy justifying intervention in other communist countries to maintain communist rule.
A policy allowing Eastern Bloc nations more autonomy in their internal affairs, signaling the decline of Soviet control.
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks aimed at curbing the arms race between the U.S. and USSR during the Cold War.
Limited anti-ballistic missile systems to prevent undermining deterrence.
Eliminated intermediate-range nuclear missiles between the U.S. and USSR.
Agreements between the U.S. and Russia to reduce strategic nuclear weapons.
A treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful nuclear energy use.
A doctrine where both sides possess enough nuclear capability to destroy each other, deterring nuclear war.
Investment from one country into business operations in another, indicating economic globalization.
The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union following a 2016 referendum.
A regional organization promoting political and economic cooperation among Southeast Asian countries.
A wave of pro-democracy uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa challenging authoritarian regimes.
Weapons capable of causing large-scale destruction, including nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.
U.S. foreign policy post-9/11 emphasizing preemptive strikes against potential threats.
Emphasized multilateral diplomacy, soft power, and limited military intervention.
Oversees global trade rules to ensure smooth international commerce.
Institutions providing financial support, loans, and economic guidance to countries.
Terms distinguishing developed (North) from developing (South) countries.
Originally referred to countries not aligned with NATO or the Communist Bloc; now often refers to developing nations.
A 1970s proposal for reforming global trade and economic relations to favor developing countries.
Groups of major economies that meet to discuss global economic policies and cooperation.
A concept that states form a society with shared rules, norms, and institutions.
Cooperation among multiple countries on international issues.
A state acting independently in international affairs without seeking consensus.
The use of force by states or organizations to prevent human rights abuses in another country.
A global norm that states have a responsibility to prevent mass atrocities like genocide.
Legal principles governing relations between sovereign states.
A doctrine outlining the moral justification for going to war and conduct during war.
The criteria that justify the decision to go to war.
The rules governing conduct during warfare to protect civilians and limit suffering.
International treaties establishing laws of war and rules for the treatment of combatants and civilians.
A series of treaties defining humanitarian protections for victims of war.
A political and economic union of European countries promoting integration and cooperation.
A financial crisis that affected many Asian economies, leading to currency devaluations and economic downturns.
A severe global economic downturn following the 2008 financial crisis.
An international organization established after WWI to maintain peace, replaced by the UN after WWII.
The idea that peace is maintained when states work together to counteract threats to any member.
State security focuses on protecting national sovereignty; human security emphasizes individual well-being
An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation.
The foundational treaty of the UN, outlining its principles, goals, and structure.
Main bodies like the General Assembly, Security Council, and specialized agencies like WHO, UNESCO.
The ability of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to block any resolution.
Global development targets set by the UN to address poverty, inequality, and sustainability.
A landmark document proclaiming fundamental human rights for all people.
Rights that protect individual freedoms (e.g., freedom of speech, right to vote).
Rights ensuring access to basic needs like education, health care, and work.
International treaties protecting civil/political rights (ICCPR) and economic/social rights (ICESCR).
A court that prosecutes individuals for crimes like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.