This essay discusses the need for culture and context-aware approaches towards interpreting basic political vocabulary. It tries to prove that our own culturally and contextually influenced perceptions of basic political vocabulary might significantly differ from any shared conceptual definitions.
After explaining this metaphysical position, the article provides empirical evidence in differing interpretations of basic IR concept of multilateralism, as viewed by the United States and Japan. While advancing philosophical knowledge, this article bases its interest in the field of international relations.