Collective Action

Action taken by a group to achieve a common goal

Collective Action Problem

Situation in which multiple individuals would all benefit from a certain action, but the associated cost makes it implausible that any individual will undertake and solve it alone

Prisoner's Dilemma

Rational actors working individually can achieve a worse outcome than they would have by working together

Dimensions of Power

The levels of analysis are

System = international context (e.g. various factors across the world caused WWII) State = domestic factors that may come into play (e.g. struggling German economy caused WWII) Individual = people as primary actors (e.g. Hitler caused WWII)

IGO

Intergovernmental organization; institution whose members are states (e.g. NATO, EU, UN)

NGO

Non-governmental organization; private institutions not working under/with the state (e.g. Greenpeace, Doctors Without Borders)

Transnational Advocacy Network (TAN)

Networks of NGOs with nodes of power

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Companies that span multiple countries, oftentimes influencing politics in their favour, not necessarily aligned with that of the state

Sub-state Actors

Exist within one country, influencing that country’s foreign policy, operating internationally, or both

Realism

International anarchy leads to states competing for power and self-reliance for protection; strong states are the most important actors

Liberalism

International anarchy leads to states cooperating with each other; though states are the main actors, IGOs and NGOs matter too

Constructivism