Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

Benefits a state obtains from cooperation without comparing them to others' benefits, emphasizing overall improvement rather than relative advantage.

A concept in international relations describing a system where sovereign states operate in an international system without a central governing authority, leading to self-help behavior among states.

A condition in the international system where no central authority exists above sovereign states, leading to self-help behavior and power competition.

A theory in international relations suggesting that national security is enhanced when military capabilities are distributed so that no one state is strong enough to dominate others.

States form alliances based on perceived threats rather than just power, considering factors like geographic proximity and offensive capabilities.

A strategy where a weaker state aligns with a stronger power to share the benefits of its dominance rather than balancing against it.

An arrangement where states agree that an attack against one is an attack against all, promoting mutual defense.

An IR theory emphasizing the role of ideas, identities, and social norms in shaping state behavior and the international system.

Socially constructed sense of self for states or actors that shapes their interests and interactions in international relations.

Individuals or groups who promote new norms and values to influence state behavior in the international system.

Shared ideas and standards within international society that shape state behavior and identities according to constructivist theory.

The process by which states adopt norms and identities through interaction and shared understandings in the international system.

A theory in international relations positing that states seek security and survival rather than power maximization, emphasizing cautious behavior in an anarchic system.

The hypothesis that democracies are less likely to engage in armed conflict with one another due to shared norms and institutional constraints.

A condition where countries are mutually reliant on each other for goods, services, and capital, affecting their political relations.

An international relations theory that argues cooperation in specific technical or economic areas can lead to broader integration and peace.

A theory suggesting that international order is most stable when a single dominant power, or hegemon, enforces rules and norms globally.

The idea that international order is more likely to be maintained when a single dominant power enforces rules and norms.

Dominance of one state or group over others in the international system, influencing rules, norms, and power structures.

A set of principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures around which actors' expectations converge in a specific issue area.

A liberal theory concept that peace is maintained through democracy, economic interdependence, and international institutions.

International relations theory emphasizing cooperation through institutions to overcome anarchy and promote peace.

A foreign policy doctrine advocating international cooperation, democratic governance, and rule-based order.

Neoclassical realism combines systemic factors with domestic variables to explain state behavior in international politics.

A theory emphasizing the role of international institutions in facilitating cooperation among states despite an anarchic international system.

A theory in international relations that emphasizes states seek to maximize their power and dominance to ensure security.

Power transition theory explains conflicts as arising when a rising power threatens to surpass the dominant hegemon, leading to potential war.

An approach in international relations that explains how issues are framed as security threats requiring extraordinary measures.

A group of states among which war is considered unlikely because of shared norms, values, and mutual trust.

Situation where actions by a state to increase its security cause insecurity in others, leading to arms races or conflict.

A theory in international relations emphasizing the anarchic structure of the international system as the primary determinant of state behavior and power distribution.

A zero-sum game describes a situation where one party’s gain is exactly balanced by another’s loss.