Political Science Final Exam Revision Notes PDF

### **Political Science Final Exam Revision Notes** ### **Part A: Political Science Basics** #### **[1. The State, Nation, and Nation-State]** - - - #### **[2. Sovereignty]** - - #### **[3. Key Concepts]** - - ### **Part B: International Relations (IR) Fundamentals** ####...

### **Political Science Final Exam Revision Notes** ### **Part A: Political Science Basics** #### **[1. The State, Nation, and Nation-State]** - - - #### **[2. Sovereignty]** - - #### **[3. Key Concepts]** - - ### **Part B: International Relations (IR) Fundamentals** #### **[1. Integration, Disintegration, and Self-Determination]** - - - - ### **Part C: Understanding American Democracy** #### **[1. Democracy and Constitutional Democracy]** **Democracy:** Derived from the Greek words \'demos\' (people) and \'kratos\' (power), democracy signifies a system of government where power lies with the people, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives. **Constitutional Democracy** =\> A system of government where rulers' powers are limited by a constitution, and where citizens can express their views through **free and fair elections**. - - #### **[2. Constituting Elements of Constitutional Democracy]** - - - #### **[3. From Principles to Reality]** - - - - - #### **[4. The Roots of American Democracy]** - - - - ### **Part D: Federalism** - - - - - - ### **Part E: Conflict and Cooperation Over Natural Resources** #### **[1. Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources]** - - #### **[2. Boundary and Transboundary Resources]** - - - - #### **[3. Case Study: Water Conflict]** - Control over water flow has been a contentious issue, with upstream countries having the potential to restrict water access to downstream nations. Water as a Strategic Asset: In a water-scarce region, control over water sources has significant strategic and economic implications, influencing political relations and security considerations. **Cooperation Efforts (3) :** \- Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty (1994): Included provisions for water sharing and cooperation, establishing mechanisms for joint management of water resources. \- Joint Water Committees: Established to oversee water allocation and address disputes, fostering dialogue and collaboration. \- Red Sea-Dead Sea Conveyance Project: A proposed initiative to address water scarcity and environmental concerns by transferring water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, providing desalinated water to the region. **Challenges and Considerations (3) :** \- Environmental Concerns: Over-extraction and pollution have degraded water quality and ecosystem health in the basin. \- Political Instability: Ongoing regional conflicts and political tensions can disrupt cooperative water management efforts. \- Climate Change: Projected decreases in rainfall and increased temperatures may exacerbate water scarcity, necessitating adaptive management strategies. ### **Part F: Nationalism and Nation-State** #### **[1. Nation-State:]** A **nation-state** is a political entity where the state represents a single nation with shared culture, language, and identity. This can sometimes lead to conflict in multinational states. #### **[2. Different Approaches to Nationalism]** - - #### **[3. Pro-State vs. Anti-State Nationalism]** - - #### **[4. Nationalism, Violence, and Religion]** - - - **Background:** Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain with a distinct history, culture, and language. **[Historical Context:]** **Early Autonomy:** Catalonia enjoyed periods of autonomy but faced suppression during Francisco Franco\'s dictatorship (1939--1975). **Post-Franco Era:** The 1978 Spanish Constitution granted Catalonia autonomy, but tensions persisted over the extent of self-governance.\ \ **[Catalan Nationalism:\ ]**\ **Civic Elements:** Emphasizes democratic values, political participation, and the right to self-determination.\ \ **Ethnic Elements:** Focuses on Catalan language and cultural identity. **Recent Developments:\ **\ \> **2010 Constitutional Court Ruling:** Limited Catalonia\'s autonomy, sparking protests.\ \ \> **2014 Non-Binding Referendum:** 80% favored independence, with a 42% turnout.\ \ \>**2017 Independence Referendum:** Declared illegal by Spain; 90% voted for independence with a 43% turnout, leading to a unilateral declaration of independence and subsequent Spanish government intervention.\ \ **[Implications (3) :\ ]**\ - **Political:** Strained relations between Catalonia and the Spanish government.\ - **Economic:** Uncertainty affecting businesses and the economy.\ \ - **Social:** Divisions within Catalan society regarding independence. **Case Study 2: The Rwandan Genocide :** **\> Background:** Rwanda, a Central African nation, experienced a horrific genocide in 1994, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 800,000 people, primarily Tutsis and moderate Hutus.\ \ **Historical Context:\ **-**Colonial Legacy \>** Belgian colonial rule exacerbated ethnic divisions between Hutus and Tutsis by implementing identity cards and favoring Tutsis in administrative roles. \- **Post-Independence Tensions \>** After gaining independence in 1962, Hutu majoritarian rule led to systemic discrimination against Tutsis, culminating in periodic violence.\ \ **Nationalism and Ethnic Identity:** \> **Ethnic Nationalism:** Political leaders exploited ethnic identities to consolidate power, portraying Tutsis as outsiders and enemies of the state.\ \ \> **Propaganda:** Media outlets, notably the radio station RTLM, disseminated hate speech, dehumanizing Tutsis and inciting violence.\ \ **The Genocide:\ **\ \>**Trigger Event:** The assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, sparked the mass killings.\ \ \>**Execution:** Over approximately 100 days, extremist Hutu militias, known as Interahamwe, and segments of the civilian population systematically slaughtered Tutsis and moderate Hutus.\ \ **Aftermath and Implications:\ **\ **Humanitarian Crisis:** Mass displacement, with millions fleeing to neighboring countries, leading to refugee crises. **Case Study 3: The Rise of Nationalism in Post-Soviet Russia :** **Background:** Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia underwent significant political, economic, and social transformations, during which nationalism emerged as a potent force.\ \ **Historical Context:\ **\ **Soviet Era:** Suppression of nationalist sentiments in favor of a unified Soviet identity.\ **Post-Soviet Transition:** Economic hardships, loss of superpower status, and identity crises created a fertile ground for nationalist ideologies.\ \ **Russian Nationalism:\ ** **State-Led Nationalism:** Under leaders like Vladimir Putin, the government promoted nationalism to legitimize authority, emphasizing Russia\'s historical greatness and unique civilization.\ **Ethnic Nationalism:** Resurgence of movements advocating for the rights of ethnic Russians, sometimes leading to xenophobia and discrimination against minority groups.\ \ **Key Developments:\ Chechen Wars (1994--1996, 1999--2009):** Conflicts framed as efforts to preserve national integrity against separatism, bolstering nationalist sentiments.\ **Annexation of Crimea (2014):** Justified by the Russian government as the protection of ethnic Russians and national interests, leading to a surge in patriotic fervor domestically.\ \ **Implications:** **Domestic Politics:** Nationalism used to suppress dissent, control media narratives, and marginalize opposition