A condition in which states are free to pursue their own interests regardless of any wider obligations towards other members of the international community. Ultimately, there is no governing institution with the authority to resolve disputes between states and non-state actors. The realist school of thought emphasises the importance of an anarchic system on the behaviour of states, whilst the constructivist school of thought claims that anarchy is what states make of it.

A free trade area with the aim of establishing a customs union amongst four states.

The acquisition of another state’s territory by force. Annexation is a unilateral act in which territory is seized rather than via cession (given or sold via a Treaty). Annexation can be legitimised via recognition from international bodies (such as intergovernmental institutions). In regards to annexation, the international community tends to abide by the Stimson doctrine. For instance, the Russian Federation was excluded from the G8 after the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.

A hybrid style of government that combines democratic and dictatorial features. Anocracies enable democratic participation within a broader dictatorial framework. The number of anocracies has increased since the end of the cold war.

A world view associated with shallow greens who believe that human beings are custodians of the Earth’s resources. Anthropocentrism highlights the elevated status of humans within the animal kingdom. Anthropocentrism also adopts a more moderate stance than deep greens.

A political movement that campaigns for an alternative form of globalisation to that of the Washington consensus. Pressure groups, academics and civil society favour another world built upon concepts such as equality and social justice. The anti(or alter)-globalisation movement also seeks to promote an environmentally-conscious approach.

APEC An intergovernmental forum for various economies in the Pacific Rim promoting free trade within the region. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is one of the most significant regional blocks within the entire global economy.

An intergovernmental organisation formed in 1945 aimed at closer cooperation between Arab states. The Arab League has over 20 members (although Syria has been suspended since the outbreak of civil war) and each state has one vote in the Council. Decisions are binding only on those states that voted for them. In 2015, the Arab League established a Joint Arab Force in order to address political extremism and other threats to sovereignty. Participation in the JAF is voluntary and the Army intervenes only at the request of a member state.

A series of rebellions against authoritarian regimes within numerous states in the Arab world. The Arab Spring started in Tunisia and led to a number of authoritarian leaders being deposed such as Ben Ali, Gaddafi, Mubarak and Saleh. The Arab Spring also led to numerous street protests under the slogan ‘the people want to bring down the regime.’ The Arab Spring occurred from 2011-2, although multiple uprisings in 2019 could be viewed as a continuation. The long-term consequences are debatable. In some ways, it led to greater levels of stability (most notably Tunisia). However, it also contributed towards civil war and insurgency in Iraq. As with all examples of social change, it led to a number of power vacuums and arguably failed to meet initial expectations.

A situation in which two or more nations increase their military expenditure due to a mindset of mistrust. The arms race is a direct consequence of the security dilemma (or spiral of insecurity). A nuclear arms race between the US and the Soviet Union was a feature of the cold war.

An international agreement signed in 2020 between states designed to expand and deepen space exploration. Drafted by NASA, the accords provide a framework for co-operation amongst its signatories.