The one-sentence truth: Geopolitics asks how geography, power, resources and security shape what states can reasonably do, not merely what they would prefer to do.
Core vocabulary
Geopolitics, sovereignty, national interest, deterrence, diplomacy, alliance, strategic autonomy, interdependence, power projection, multilateralism.
National interest
National interest can include security, prosperity, sovereignty, diplomatic influence and access to critical resources. It should not be treated as one obvious objective.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty concerns authority over territory and political decisions, but modern interdependence means states often trade some freedom of action for cooperation, treaties or economic access.
Deterrence
Deterrence aims to prevent an action by making its expected costs exceed its benefits. Credibility matters: a threat that cannot or will not be carried out may fail.
Strategic autonomy
Strategic autonomy is the capacity to make important decisions without excessive dependence on another actor. It does not require complete self-sufficiency.
Multilateralism
Multilateral institutions can reduce coordination costs and create common rules, but their effectiveness depends on enforcement, legitimacy and member interests.
Example sentence
“Economic interdependence can deter conflict by raising its cost, yet concentrated dependence on critical resources can also create strategic vulnerability.”
Singapore application
For a small, highly connected state, vocabulary around openness, sovereignty, multilateralism, resilience and strategic dependence is especially useful. Analyse constraints rather than making simplistic claims about choosing sides.
Continue the JC2 GP vocabulary system
Return to General Paper Vocabulary Year 2 (JC2) and Vocabulary for Junior College (JC1–JC2).
Final thought
In geopolitics, power matters, but so do constraints: geography, alliances, trade, credibility and the costs of every alternative.