AOS2 China Flashcards
Sovereignty
Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a
territory within recognised borders (Eg. Chinese governance of Tibet/Taiwan)
National Interest
Used as all-embracing concept to justify policy preferences and
actions, and includes the goals or objectives of foreign policy
Security
The protection of state borders from intruders and the maintenance of
sovereignty – most commonly achieved through the use of military power, access to
resources and the protection of ecosystems
Idealism
School of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by
moral principle, as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations (Eg. Chinese closure of
domestic coal-fired power plants)
Pragmatism
School of thought in which foreign-policy is influenced above all else by
practical/pragmatic considerations as opposed to moral principles (Eg. strong Chinese
diplomatic ties with North Korea)
Power
The ability of one global actor to influence the actions or decisions of another
global actor
Effectiveness.
The measure by which an actor’s capacity, policies, strategies and actions
are judged to have been successful in facilitating the achievement of its foreign policy aims
National security
National interest of a state to maintain its sovereignty – traditionally
through protection of state borders to guarantee its survival as a territorial entity, and to
ensure the safety and protection of its citizens
Economic prosperity
the status of a state as ‘developed’ or ‘developing’ as determined
through its capacity to trade globally, access to geo-strategic resources, generate wealth and
the general wellbeing of its citizens (typically measured through GDP)
Regional relationships
a state’s capacity to enhance its national interest goals through
international relations within its own geographical region
International standing
the states capacity to project its international image and reputation
within the broader international community (international standing is dependent on conduct
in global affairs, willingness to uphold prevailing international norms, and the effectiveness
with which it can ‘pitch’ its desired narrative abroad)
Hard power
coercive power which can be utilised to make a global actor change its position
(Eg. military or economic power – carrot/stick approach, zero-sum game)
Soft power
achieving outcomes by crafting the conditions by setting an agenda through
means of appeal and attraction (positive sum game)
Foreign policy
combination of outward-looking policies strategies and actions used by
states to achieve their national interest goals (Eg. diplomacy, trade)
Foreign Policy Instrument
Specific tools employed by a state as part of their foreign
policy strategy to fulfil national interests
