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All 11 Flashcards — Recognition
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Question
What is recognition?
Answer
When other states formally accept you as a state, or as the rightful government of a state — the official side of international legitimacy.
Question
What are the two kinds of recognition?
Answer
Recognition of a state (is a place a country at all?) and recognition of a government (who rightfully rules an existing country?).
Question
How is control different from recognition?
Answer
A group can hold power over a territory by force yet still be widely unrecognised — recognition is a choice other states make.
Question
Why is the Taliban (2021) a good example?
Answer
They took full control of Afghanistan but almost no state recognised them, so aid, frozen assets and the UN seat stayed out of their hands.
Question
What did withholding recognition from the Taliban do?
Answer
It kept aid, frozen assets and the UN seat away from them, and was used to press on human rights, especially women and girls.
Question
Why does recognition matter if you already control the country?
Answer
It unlocks aid, trade, frozen assets, embassies and a UN seat, and confers legitimacy — so withholding it is a real lever.
Question
Can a government control a country but not be recognised?
Answer
Yes — the Taliban rule Afghanistan yet are widely unrecognised; control and recognition are different.
Question
What does recognition unlock for a government?
Answer
Aid, trade, frozen assets, embassies, diplomatic relations and a seat at the UN.
Question
How does recognition link to legitimacy?
Answer
Recognition is the official side of international legitimacy — other states accepting a government as rightful.
Question
Recognition of a state vs a government?
Answer
Recognising a state = accepting a place is a country; recognising a government = accepting who rightfully rules an existing country.
Question
Why is recognition a foreign-policy tool?
Answer
States can grant or withhold it to reward or pressure a government — as with the Taliban since 2021.
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Full study notes for Recognition
Topic 1.5 hub
Legitimacy
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Global Politics exam skills
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