Author: Pablo Mathis

  • Counterforce and Countervalue

    Counterforce and Countervalue

    Counterforce describes the ability to conduct nuclear strikes against militarily relevant targets such as army bases. Counterforce strikes depend on smaller, tactical nuclear weapons. Countervalue describes nuclear attacks against non-military targets such as cities. In doing so, larger strategic nuclear weapons are utilised.

  • Balancing and Bandwagoning

    Balancing and Bandwagoning

    Balancing and bandwagoning are two strategies that states employ in response shifts in the balance of power. Balancing refers to the tendency of weaker states to form alliances to counterbalance against a stronger power in order to maintain a stable power equilibrium. On the other hand, bandwagoning involves weaker states aligning with a dominant power,…

  • Balance of Threat Theory

    Balance of Threat Theory

    The Balance of Threat Theory asserts that states form alliances based on the threat they perceive from other states. It contends that states evaluate potential threats not only regarding power but also consider the level of aggression, the capabilities, and the intentions of other states. This theory highlights the importance of assessing threats and suggests…

  • Balance of Power Theory

    Balance of Power Theory

    The Balance of Power Theory suggests that states seek to prevent any single state or coalition from dominating the international system. This behavior is derived from the threat of each states’ survival. If one state gains significant power, it will take advantage of its less powerful neighbors. The theory contends that states will naturally form…

  • Alfred Nobel

    Alfred Nobel

    Nobel made a fortune by inventing dynamite. He remained childless. Hence, after his death, he made his fortune available for funding the Nobel Prize.

  • Social Constructivism

    Social Constructivism

    Constructivism focuses on the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping global politics. It contends that international outcomes are influenced by not only material factors but also non-material factors such as socially constructed perceptions and conventions. Constructivism highlights the importance of shared beliefs, cultural practices, and historical contexts in shaping state behavior. It argues…

  • International Monetary Fund

    International Monetary Fund

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international financial institution founded at the Bretton Woods Conference along with the World Bank. The IMF aims to foster global monetary cooperation, ensure exchange rate stability, and facilitate international trade. It also offers financial assistance and policy advice to help countries manage economic challenges, often requiring structural reforms…

  • African Union

    African Union

    The African Union (AU) is a continental organisation consisting of 55 African nations. Its goal is to enhance political, economic, and social cooperation across the continent. The AU seeks to prevent and manage conflict through organs like its Peace and Security Council. The AU has also compromised that it is possible to militarily intervene in…

  • Amnesty International

    Amnesty International

    Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights. It advocates for the protection of human rights, including civil liberties, political freedoms, and social justice. The organisation operates independently and strives to mobilise public support to pressure governments and other entities to uphold human rights standards.

  • OECD

    OECD

    The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental organisation with 38 member states that pursues a stimulation of economic progress and world trade. Its member countries describe themselves as committed to democracy and the market economy. The OECD provides a platform to its members to compare policy experiences, identify good practices, and…