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All 11 Flashcards — States
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Question
What is a state?
Answer
A self-ruling country with its own people, territory and government — the primary actor in global politics.
Question
What are the four features of a state?
Answer
A permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and recognition by other states.
Question
What is sovereignty?
Answer
The supreme right of a state to govern its own land, with no outside boss.
Question
What is recognition?
Answer
Being accepted as a state by other states, with treaties, embassies and a UN seat.
Question
Why are states the 'primary' actors?
Answer
Only they hold sovereignty, force, binding law and UN seats; other actors work around them.
Question
Why is Taiwan a good example?
Answer
It has population, territory and a government, but limited recognition because China claims it — so statehood is political.
Question
What is a fragile state?
Answer
A state whose government cannot fully control its territory or protect its people (e.g. Somalia).
Question
How is state power challenged today?
Answer
By globalization, big companies and cross-border problems like climate and migration.
Question
Argument that the state still comes first?
Answer
Only states hold sovereignty, force and UN seats, and even global problems are handled by states cooperating.
Question
Why judge 'strong vs weak' states?
Answer
A powerful state controls its land; a fragile or contested state cannot fully use its sovereignty.
Question
How does this link to sovereignty?
Answer
The four features together give a state sovereignty — the top authority over its own land.
Read the notes
Full study notes for States
Topic 1.1 hub
Framing global politics
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Global Politics exam skills
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