International Relations

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free trade

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the flow of goods and services across national boundaries unimpeded by tariffs or other restrictions; in principal (if not always in practice) free trade was a key aspect of Britain's policy after 1846 and of U.S. policy after 1945.

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NGO

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Non-Govermental Organisation.
Private organisations who interact with states, MNCs and other NGOs. (Catholic Church, Greenpeace, International Olympic Committee)

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MNC

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Multi National Corporation

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IGO

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Intergovermental Organisation. Organisations whose members are national governments. The UN and its agencies are IGOs, as are most of the world's economic coordinating institutions such as the World Band and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Also, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), WTO, NATO etc.

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containment

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A policy adopted in the late 1940's by which the US sought to halt the global expansion of Soviet influence on several levels - military, political, ideological and economic

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Mercantilism

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An economic theory and a political ideology oposed to free trade; it shares with realism belief that each state must protect its own interests without seeking mutual gains through international organisations.

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Realism (political realism)

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A broad intellectual tradition that explains international relations mainly in terms of power.

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Liberalism (economic liberalism)

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In the context of IPE, an approach that generally shares the assumption of anarchy (the lack of a world goverment) but does not see this condition as precluding extensive gains from economic exchanges. It emphasizes absolute over relative gains and, in practice, a commitment to free trade, free capital flows and an "open" world economy.

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Machiavelli

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1469-1527. He was a Florentine statesman, political philosopher, historian, musician, poet, and comedic playwright. The Prince, written to encourage the appearance of a political savior who would unify the corrupt city-states and fend off foreign conquest, advocated the theory that whatever was expedient was necessary—an early example of realpolitik or diplomatic realism. "Before all else, be armed. " "Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed. " "The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it. " "There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others. "

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Idealism

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An approach that emphasizes international law, morality, and international organization rather than power alone, as key influences on international relations.

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Hobbs

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1588–1679, was a noted English political philosopher, most famous for his book Leviathan (1651). The book concerns the structure of society (as represented figuratively by the frontispiece, showing the society giant made up of individuals), as is evidenced by the full title "Leviathan or the matter, forme and power of a common-wealth ecclesiasticall and civill". Hobbes gives an argument for a social contract and rule by a sovereign. "the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." "This considered, the kingdom of darkness… is nothing else but a confederacy of deceivers that, to obtain dominion over men in this present world, endeavour, by dark and erroneous doctrines, to extinguish in them the light…"

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Sir Robert Filmer

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(1588 - 1653) was an English political writer. Filmer's theory is founded upon the statement that the government of a family by the father is the true original and model of all government. In the beginning of the world God gave authority to Adam, who had complete control over his descendants, even as to life and death. From Adam this authority was inherited by Noah; and Filmer quotes as not unlikely the tradition that Noah sailed up the Mediterranean and allotted the three continents of the Old World to the rule of his three sons. From Shem, Ham and Japheth the patriarchs inherited the absolute power which they exercised over their families and servants; and from the patriarchs all kings and governors (whether a single monarch or a governing assembly) derive their authority, which is therefore absolute, and founded upon divine right. "Patriarcha", or the Natural Power of Kings, 1680.

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State

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An inhabited territorial entity controlled by a goverment that excercises sovereignty on its territory.

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Sovereignty (Absolute or Popular)

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A state's right, at least in principal, to do whatever it wants within its own territory; traditionally, sovereignty is the most important international norm.

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Nation-States

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States whose populations share a sense of national identity, usually including language and culture.