World Affairs Glossaries

Interstate and Intrastate Conflict Introduction Interstate and intrastate conflict represent two broad categories of armed conflict classified according to where the principal parties to the conflict are located and who is fighting whom. Interstate conflict primarily involves states fighting one another. Intrastate conflict occurs primarily within the territory of a state and usually involves the…

War and Armed Conflict Introduction War and armed conflict are central concepts in international relations, strategic studies, international law and political history. They describe organized violence involving states, non-state actors or both. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they have different analytical and legal applications. War traditionally refers to sustained organized armed violence between…

Hybrid Warfare and Grey-Zone Competition Introduction Hybrid warfare and grey-zone competition describe strategies that combine different instruments of power to achieve political or strategic objectives while avoiding, limiting or complicating conventional military confrontation. These concepts are particularly relevant to contemporary international security because modern competition increasingly occurs across military, economic, political, informational, cyber and technological…

Collective Security and Collective Defence Introduction Collective security and collective defence are important concepts in international security. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they describe different institutional and strategic arrangements. Collective security is based on the principle that aggression against one member is a concern for the wider international community and that members should…

Deterrence, Compellence and Containment Introduction Deterrence, compellence and containment are major concepts in international security and strategic studies. They describe different ways in which states attempt to influence the behaviour of other states, armed groups or strategic competitors. Deterrence seeks to prevent an action by threatening unacceptable consequences. Compellence seeks to make an actor undertake,…

Global Supply Chains and Economic Interdependence Introduction Global supply chains connect producers, suppliers, transport systems, financial institutions and consumers across multiple countries. They have transformed international production by allowing firms to source raw materials, components, services and technologies from different parts of the world. At the same time, supply-chain integration creates vulnerabilities because disruption in…

International and National Security Introduction Security concerns protection from threats, risks and vulnerabilities. In International Relations, security traditionally focused on protecting the state from military threats, but the concept has expanded to include economic, environmental, cyber, health and human dimensions. National security primarily concerns the protection of a state, its population, territory, institutions and vital…

Human Security and Non-Traditional Security Introduction Human security broadens the concept of security from protection of the state to protection of individuals and communities. The concept gained international prominence in the 1990s, particularly through the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report 1994. Non-traditional security similarly expands the security agenda beyond conventional military threats to…

Security Dilemma and Strategic Stability Introduction The security dilemma is a central concept in International Relations, particularly in realist and neorealist thought. It describes a situation in which measures taken by one state to improve its security can make another state feel less secure. Strategic stability concerns conditions under which states have incentives to avoid…

Economic Sanctions, Economic Statecraft and Trade Wars Introduction Economic statecraft refers to the use of economic resources and instruments to pursue foreign-policy, diplomatic or strategic objectives. Economic sanctions are among its most important tools. States can use trade restrictions, financial measures, investment controls, asset freezes and other economic instruments to influence the behaviour of governments,…

Multilateralism and Global Governance Introduction Multilateralism refers to cooperation among multiple states according to commonly accepted principles, rules or institutions. Global governance is the broader process through which international actors manage global problems through institutions, rules, norms, agreements and cooperative arrangements. Neither concept implies the existence of a single world government. Instead, global governance operates…

International Political Economy: Core Concepts Introduction International Political Economy (IPE) studies the interaction between politics and economics in international affairs. It examines how states, markets, institutions and other actors influence the production, distribution and movement of wealth and economic resources across borders. IPE covers areas such as trade, finance, investment, development, globalization, sanctions, economic statecraft…

International Trade and Protectionism Introduction International trade is the exchange of goods and services across national borders. It is one of the principal components of the global economy and a major source of economic interdependence. States adopt different trade policies depending on their economic interests, strategic objectives, domestic industries and international commitments. Core Concepts International…

Global Finance and Monetary Relations Introduction Global finance concerns the movement and management of financial resources across national borders. It includes international banking, capital flows, foreign exchange, sovereign debt, investment and global financial institutions. International monetary relations concern currencies, exchange rates, reserve assets and cooperation among monetary authorities. Core Concepts Global Finance: Cross-border financial activity…

Foreign Investment, Aid and Development Finance Introduction Foreign investment, international aid and development finance are major channels through which financial resources move across borders. They have different purposes and structures. Investment generally seeks financial returns or strategic interests, while aid and development finance primarily seek economic, social or humanitarian objectives. Foreign Investment Foreign Investment: Investment…

UN Security Council and Collective Security Introduction The United Nations Security Council is the principal UN organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Its authority forms a central part of the UN’s collective security system. Collective security is based on the idea that threats to international peace should be addressed collectively rather than left…

UN Agencies and International Institutions Introduction The United Nations operates through a broad institutional network addressing health, development, labour, food, education, refugees, aviation, telecommunications, maritime affairs and many other areas. The term international institution is broader than the term UN agency. International institutions can include organizations, regimes, rules, norms and decision-making arrangements. UN Specialized Agencies…

IMF, World Bank and Global Financial Institutions Introduction The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group are among the most important institutions in the international economic system. They emerged from the Bretton Woods Conference of 1944, which sought to establish a more stable post-war international monetary and economic order. International Monetary Fund International…

WTO and International Trade Institutions Introduction The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the principal global institution dealing with the rules of international trade. It provides a framework for negotiating trade rules, monitoring trade policies and resolving certain trade disputes. The WTO emerged from the post-war trading system that developed through the General Agreement on Tariffs…

United Nations System Introduction The United Nations (UN) is the central global organization for international cooperation. It was established in 1945 following the Second World War with the broad purposes of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, promoting international cooperation and supporting human rights. The term United Nations System is broader…