Political structures
Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answersWhat is a political structure?
Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.
All 11 Flashcards — Political structures
Sign up free to track progress and get spaced-repetition review schedules.
Question
What is a political structure?
Answer
The framework through which power is organised and exercised — above all, the structure of the international system.
Question
What does 'anarchy' mean in global politics?
Answer
The absence of any world government above states, so each looks out for itself — not chaos.
Question
What is polarity?
Answer
How power is spread among the great powers: unipolar (one), bipolar (two) or multipolar (several).
Question
What is a unipolar world?
Answer
One with a single dominant power.
Question
What is a bipolar world?
Answer
One with two rival powers, as in the Cold War.
Question
What is a multipolar world?
Answer
One with several great powers sharing influence.
Question
What is a balance of power?
Answer
When states form alliances so that no single power can dominate the rest.
Question
How has the world's polarity changed recently?
Answer
From a brief post-Cold-War unipolar US moment toward a more multipolar world, with the rise of China and others.
Question
Why does structure shape state behaviour?
Answer
With no world government (anarchy), states fend for themselves, and polarity sets how great powers balance each other.
Question
Does structure explain everything?
Answer
It shapes rivalry and security strongly, but institutions, cooperation and ideas also shape what states do.
Question
Which lens stresses structure?
Answer
Realism — anarchy and polarity drive competition; liberals stress institutions, constructivists stress ideas.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Political structures
Topic 1.2 hub
Systems and interactions
More from Topic 1.2
All flashcards in this topic
Global Politics exam skills
Paper structures & tips
Track your progress with spaced repetition
Sign up free — Aimnova tells you exactly which cards to review and when, so you remember everything before your IB exam.
Start Free