Key Terms
Power
The ability of a state to prompt its preferred outcome in a given situation. Sovereignty: a state's authority to govern
Comparative advantage
When one state produces a good or service more cost-effectively than another. States trade based on comparative advantag
Four characteristics of a state
1. Land with defined boundaries 2.
Definition
Non-state actors focused on solving problems or filling gaps states can't or won't address.
Key examples
United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, WTO
IMF function
Lender of last resort — a country turns here only after exhausting all other funding options.
Sovereignty
Ability of a state to govern itself without outside interference. State: bounded territory, government, loyal population
Anarchy (IR definition)
Not chaos — it means the absence of an overarching governing authority in the international system. No global government
Core premise
The state is a historically masculine institution; international relations has been dominated by male perspectives; this
Hegemon
The dominant state in a unipolar world. Sets rules, expands influence, bears the burden of post-conflict stability.
Like classical realism
State is the main actor; system is anarchic.
Unlike classical realism
It's the structure of the system — not individual leaders — that drives state behavior.
Defensive realism
Advocate for transparency; conflict destabilizes the system; maintain the status quo. Offensive realism: conflict is inh
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
Liberalism as a worldview (IR theory) is NOT the same as liberalism as a political ideology. The worldview is about how
Institutionalism (branch of liberalism)
International institutions are essential to the system functioning.