Bilateralism
economic trade or diplomatic relations between two countries.
Foreign aid
help provided to nations in need.
Global consciousness
an understanding or awareness of global affairs and human conditions in various regions around the world.
Globalization
the process by which people around the world are becoming increasingly interconnected through trade, the media, and migration.
Humanitarianism
the belief that human conditions can be made better for people.
International law
With increasing globalization has come an increasing need for rules and regulations governing international conduct. The need for international laws was understood many years ago by the United Nations. The United Nations has therefore become the primary maker of international law. A UN sponsored World Court helps to interpret those laws whenever disputes between nations arises. So, a nation can take a dispute regarding international law to the World Court. For example, back in 1958, the Law of the Sea was created governing a nation's territorial limits along its ocean shoreline and also pollution at sea. Countries could then bring disputes about their territorial limits to the World Court.
Internationalism
placing global concerns before a country's own national interests.
Interventionism
the foreign policy of intervening in the affairs of another country.
Multilateralism
the policy of pursueing agreements, discussions or negotiations between multiple countries (3 or more).
Non-intervention
the foreign policy of not getting involved in the affairs of other countries.
Peacekeeping
immediately after an armed conflict has ended, soldiers from other countries are placed between the aggressive groups to observe and maintain the peace process.
Peacemaking
While peacekeeping aims to keep opposing sides away from each other after an armed conflict, "peacemaking" aims to prevent armed conflict through diplomacy. Peacemaking diplomacy is also used after an armed conflict has been stopped in order to negotiate a permanent peace agreement.
Peace-enforcement
aims to end an active conflict between two parties by using the armed forces of a third country, or coalition of countries, to impose peace. Peace enforcement troops would be more heavily armed than peacekeepers. Unlike peacekeeping, permission from the host country is not necessary in peace-enforcement, especially if human rights or civilians are at risk. Peace-enforcement troops can conduct offensive operations.
Security
when a country seeks to be safe (secure) from military or even economic aggression by other countries.
Sphere of influence
1. Imperialism: An area that governs itself but where an imperialist power claims sole right to trade or invest money. For example, before 1914, many European countries had spheres of influence in China.2. Cold War: The extent to which a nation is able to extend its influence beyond its borders. During the Cold War, both the United States and Soviet Union had spheres of influence in various parts of the world. For example, Canada and western European nations were within the American sphere of influence. As well, various nations in Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America came under the American umbrella. As for the Soviet Union, eastern Europe and much of Asia came under its sphere of influence. Countries such as communist China, North Korea, North Vietnam, and Pakistan. As well, various nations in Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America came under the Soviet umbrella.
State involvement
the foreign policy of getting involved in the affairs of other countries.
State non-involvement
the foreign policy of not getting involved in the affairs of other countries.
Supranationalism
a form of internationalism in which nations agree to abide by the decisions of an international organization.The European Union (EU) is considered by many scholars to be a supranational organizations. Each member nation can vote on an issue and agrees to follow the majority decision - even if it voted against.
World government
is the concept of a global political body that would make, interpret and enforce international lawUnderlying the concept of a world government is the idea that nations would be required to surrender sovereignty over some areas. Countries would still have their own governments making decisions over local matters. It could be argued that some existing international institutions (such as the International Criminal Court, United Nations, and International Monetary Fund) are the beginning elements of a world government system.