Political Science: The State and Sovereignty

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Questions and Answers

What are the two main types of sovereignty?

  • Internal and External (correct)
  • Political and Economic
  • Physical and Digital
  • National and International

The Peace of Westphalia marked the beginning of the modern nation-state system.

True (A)

What is the key characteristic of a state?

Sovereignty

The concept of the state's monopoly on the legitimate use of force within its territory is known as ______ sovereignty.

<p>internal</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a state?

<p>A strong military (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts to their definitions:

<p>Sovereignty = The right of a state to exercise independent authority within its borders Internal Sovereignty = A state's monopoly on the legitimate use of force within its territory External Sovereignty = A state's right to perform functions without external interference from other states Peace of Westphalia = A series of treaties that marked the beginning of the modern state system</p> Signup and view all the answers

The rise of the nation-state was primarily driven by economic factors.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the phrase "War made the state and the state made war." What does this mean?

<p>This phrase suggests that the development of powerful states was directly linked to their capacity for warfare. States evolved to be better at waging war, and in turn, this ability helped them to survive and expand. They used their centralized power to build armies, tax populations, and effectively mobilize resources for war, making them dominant forces.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

State

A defined territory with a population governed by a national government with sovereignty.

Sovereignty

The right of a state to exercise independent authority within its territory.

Internal Sovereignty

The state's control over the legitimate use of physical force within its territory.

External Sovereignty

The state's right to function independently without interference from other states.

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Thirty Years' War

Conflict (1618-1648) leading to the establishment of state sovereignty in Europe.

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Peace of Westphalia

1648 treaties that recognized state sovereignty and local governance over domestic policies.

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Bellicist Argument

Theory that war played a crucial role in the formation and success of states.

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Rise of Nationalism

The movement promoting the idea that nations should have their own sovereign states.

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Study Notes

Defining a State

  • A state possesses a defined territory, marked by borders and lines.
  • It has a defined population, often within state lines.
  • A national government, exercising both internal and external sovereignty, governs the state.

Sovereignty

  • Sovereignty is a state's right to govern itself independently within its borders.
  • Internal sovereignty (empirical statehood) describes a state's monopoly on legitimized force within its territory. Government and police have the authority to rule and enforce order. Citizens do not have this right.
  • External sovereignty (diristical statehood) is a state's right to conduct its affairs independently from external interference or pressure from other states.

Origins of the State

  • The Protestant Reformation and Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) are pivotal historical events.

  • Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517) challenged the Catholic Church, initiating religious conflicts.

  • These conflicts escalated, involving secular rulers for their own interests.

  • The Peace of Westphalia (1648) significantly altered the political landscape.

  • It legitimized states as supreme authorities with internal and external sovereignty, establishing control over their people and territories.

    • Independent domestic policies, like religious rules, became permissible, free from external interference.

State Success and Spread

  • Charles Tilly's argument, "War made the state and the state made war," suggests successful states were efficient at war.
  • These states maintained standing armies, centralized administrations, and efficient tax collection systems.
  • This facilitated their survival compared to competing political organizations like tribes or city-states.
  • The sovereign state model expanded globally, driven by modernization, imperialism, and trade.
  • Nationalism further fueled this expansion, advocating for distinct nations within their own states.
  • The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed dramatically increased state numbers, especially post-World War II.

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