Diplomacy & Politics Glossary
Every term you need — from Model UN procedure to international law, economics, and political theory. Clear definitions, real examples, and cross-linked concepts.
2302 terms across 11 categories
Showing 28 terms matching your filters
#
1 termA
5 termsAct of Belligerency
An act by a state or non-state actor that constitutes participation in armed conflict, triggering the application of international humanitarian law.
Armed Conflict
A situation of sustained combat between two or more organized armed groups, triggering the application of international humanitarian law.
Armed Non-International Conflict
A conflict occurring within a state between governmental forces and non-state armed groups, regulated by international humanitarian law provisions specific to internal conflicts.
Armed Non-State Actor
An organized group not affiliated with any government that engages in armed conflict or violence.
Autonomous Weapon Systems
Weapons that can select and engage targets without human intervention, raising legal and ethical questions under international humanitarian law.
C
4 termsCommon Article 5
A provision in the Geneva Conventions establishing the International Committee of the Red Cross's right to monitor the treatment of prisoners of war and detainees.
Continuous Voyage Doctrine
A principle allowing interception of neutral ships carrying contraband if the voyage is part of a continuous journey to an enemy state during armed conflict.
Customary International Humanitarian Law
Rules derived from general practice accepted as law that regulate conduct during armed conflicts.
Customary International Humanitarian Law Database
A comprehensive collection of rules derived from state practice and opinio juris that govern conduct during armed conflicts, recognized as binding even without treaty ratification.
E
1 termG
3 termsGeneva Conventions Additional Protocols
Treaty agreements supplementing the original Geneva Conventions to expand protections in armed conflicts, including non-international conflicts.
Geneva Conventions Common Article 1
An article obligating all parties to international armed conflicts to respect and ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions in all circumstances.
Geneva Conventions Common Article 3
A provision establishing minimum humanitarian protections in non-international armed conflicts.
H
2 termsHost State Consent
The agreement by a state allowing foreign armed forces or peacekeepers to operate within its territory.
Hostage Taking as a War Crime
The unlawful seizing or detaining of individuals to compel actions from others during armed conflict, prohibited under international humanitarian law. It constitutes a serious violation subject to prosecution.
I
2 termsInternational Fact-Finding Commission
An independent body established under the Geneva Conventions to investigate violations of international humanitarian law.
Internment of Combatants
The lawful detention of enemy fighters during armed conflict without criminal charges under international humanitarian law.
L
2 termsM
2 termsMargin of Safety Principle
A principle in international humanitarian law that requires parties to a conflict to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize incidental harm to civilians and civilian objects.
Martens Clause
A provision in humanitarian law emphasizing protection based on principles of humanity and public conscience when no specific treaty rule applies.
N
1 termP
3 termsProhibited Weapons
Weapons banned under international law due to their indiscriminate effects or unnecessary suffering, such as chemical and biological weapons.
Proportionality in Armed Conflict
The principle that military actions must avoid excessive force in relation to the anticipated military advantage.
Proportionality Principle
A legal principle requiring that measures taken in armed conflict or law enforcement are necessary and not excessive relative to the desired objective.