authoritarianism

A type of restrictive governmental system

where people are under the rule of an
individual, such as a dictator or king, or a
group, such as a party or military junta.

bilateral
diplomacy

Negotiations between two countries.

Coercive
diplomacy

The use of threats or force as a diplomatic tactic.

democratic peace
theory

The governmental system a country has in terms of

free and fair elections and levels of participation.

democratized
diplomacy

The current trend in diplomacy where diplomats are

drawn from a wider segment of society, making
them more representative of their nations.

instrumental theory
of government.

The notion that the purpose of political units and

their governments is to benefit the people who
established them and that the continued legitimate
existence of these organizations rests on whether
and how well they perform their tasks.

multilateral
diplomacy

Negotiations among three or more countries.

multilateralism

Taking important international actions, especially

those using military force, within the framework of a
multilateral organization such as the United Nations.

parliamentary
diplomacy

Debate and voting in international organizations to

settle diplomatic issues.

power capacity

The sum of a country's power assets that determine

its potential for exercising international power.

public diplomacy

A process of creating an overall international image

that enhances your ability to achieve diplomatic
success.

relative power

Power measured in comparison with the power of

other international actors.

theocracy

A political system that is organized, governed, and

defined by spiritual leaders and their religious
beliefs.

two-level game
theory

The concept that in order to arrive at satisfactory

international agreements, a country's diplomats
actually have to deal with (at one level) the other
country's negotiators and (at the other level)
legislators, interest groups, and other domestic
forces at home.

unilateralism

Occurs when a single country, perhaps leading a

small coalition of other countries, takes an important
international action, such as using force, without the
approval of an IGO.

will to power

The willingness of a country to use its power

capacity to influence global events.

zero-sum game

A contest in which gains by one player can only be

achieved by equal losses for other players. See Nonzero-sum game.