Global Politics: Understanding World Order and Governance

1. What is world order?

The order in which countries were discovered and colonized.

The geographical arrangement of countries on a map.

The global system of trade agreements and tariffs.

World order refers to the way power is distributed among states and actors, influencing the relationships and behaviors in the international system.

Explanation

World order refers to the way power is distributed among states and actors, influencing the relationships and behaviors in the international system.

2. What is bipolarity?

A political ideology advocating for the creation of two separate nations within a single country.

The state of having two conflicting personalities.

A medical condition characterized by extreme mood swings between mania and depression.

The tendency of the international system to revolve around two poles (major power blocs).

Bipolarity in this context refers to the distribution of power in the international system, not psychological or medical conditions.

Explanation

Bipolarity in this context refers to the distribution of power in the international system, not psychological or medical conditions.

3. What is a hyperpower?

A fictional superhero

A type of energy source

A type of computer virus

A power that commands much greater power than any of its potential rivals, and so dominates world politics.

A hyperpower is a term used in geopolitics to describe a nation that is extremely powerful and dominates global politics, with no potential rivals matching its strength.

Explanation

A hyperpower is a term used in geopolitics to describe a nation that is extremely powerful and dominates global politics, with no potential rivals matching its strength.

4. What is unipolarity?

A style of leadership with one leader dominating all decision-making processes

A type of magnetic pole configuration

A political ideology advocating for unity among multiple countries

An international system in which there is one pre-eminent state; the existence of a single great power.

Unipolarity refers to a system where one state holds a dominant position, not necessarily related to magnetic poles, political ideology, or leadership style.

Explanation

Unipolarity refers to a system where one state holds a dominant position, not necessarily related to magnetic poles, political ideology, or leadership style.

5. What is the definition of Hegemon?

A non-governmental organization.

A small insignificant power.

A democratic government.

A leading or paramount power.

A hegemon is a state or group with undisputed influence or leadership in a particular area. It is not synonymous with a small or insignificant power, a democratic government, or a non-governmental organization.

Explanation

A hegemon is a state or group with undisputed influence or leadership in a particular area. It is not synonymous with a small or insignificant power, a democratic government, or a non-governmental organization.

6. What is multipolarity?

A state of world affairs where power is evenly distributed among all nations.

An international system characterized by two main opposing power centers.

A system where power is held by only one dominant country.

Multipolarity refers to a system with three or more power centers, leading to fluidity and potential instability. It is different from a unipolar system where power is held by one country, or a bipolar system with two main opposing powers, or a evenly distributed power among all nations.

Explanation

Multipolarity refers to a system with three or more power centers, leading to fluidity and potential instability. It is different from a unipolar system where power is held by one country, or a bipolar system with two main opposing powers, or a evenly distributed power among all nations.

7. What is meant by 'great power' in a state system?

A state with superior military strength.

A state that is geographically large in size.

A state with a large population and economy.

A state deemed to rank amongst the most powerful in a hierarchical state system, reflecting its influence over minor states.

In the context of a state system, 'great power' refers to a state's ranking and influence over other minor states, rather than solely being based on factors like military strength, population, or geographic size.

Explanation

In the context of a state system, 'great power' refers to a state's ranking and influence over other minor states, rather than solely being based on factors like military strength, population, or geographic size.

8. What is meant by imperial over-reach?

The process of scaling back imperial territories to focus on domestic issues.

A term used to describe the efficient management of imperial resources.

The rapid expansion of an empire's economy through successful trade agreements.

The tendency for imperial expansion to be unsustainable as wider military responsibilities outstrip the growth of the domestic economy.

Imperial over-reach refers to the imbalance between the expansion of an empire's military responsibilities and its domestic economy, leading to an unsustainable situation.

Explanation

Imperial over-reach refers to the imbalance between the expansion of an empire's military responsibilities and its domestic economy, leading to an unsustainable situation.

9. What does the term BRICS countries refer to?

The collective term for the countries included in the European Union.

A collective term for the five large, fast-growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

A group of European countries known for their strong financial stability.

The abbreviation for a global organization focused on environmental sustainability.

The correct answer refers specifically to the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, known collectively as the BRICS countries due to their significant influence on the world economy.

Explanation

The correct answer refers specifically to the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, known collectively as the BRICS countries due to their significant influence on the world economy.

10. What are absolute gains?

Advantages that one state gains at the expense of another state.

Benefits that accrue to states from a policy or action regardless of their impact on other states.

Negative consequences that result from a policy or action affecting all states equally.

Gains that are dependent on the relative power and capabilities of different states.

Absolute gains refer to the overall benefits that a state receives from a policy or action, without considering its impact on other states. The incorrect answers provided describe different concepts such as negative consequences affecting all states equally, advantages gained at the expense of others, and gains dependent on relative power dynamics.

Explanation

Absolute gains refer to the overall benefits that a state receives from a policy or action, without considering its impact on other states. The incorrect answers provided describe different concepts such as negative consequences affecting all states equally, advantages gained at the expense of others, and gains dependent on relative power dynamics.

11. What is the Washington consensus?

A trade agreement between the United States and China

A policy package that sought to reduce intervention in the market through measures of deregulation, privatization, and fiscal constraint.

A political agreement reached by the founding fathers of the United States

A diplomatic treaty signed between the United States and Russia

The Washington consensus refers to a policy package that aimed to reduce government intervention in the market by implementing measures such as deregulation, privatization, and fiscal constraint. It is not related to political agreements, trade agreements, or diplomatic treaties.

Explanation

The Washington consensus refers to a policy package that aimed to reduce government intervention in the market by implementing measures such as deregulation, privatization, and fiscal constraint. It is not related to political agreements, trade agreements, or diplomatic treaties.