Lesson 3: The Nation-State and the North-South Divide

Nation

A group sharing history, traditions, and

culture. May not have political territory.

Nation-State

A sovereign state ruled in the name of a

national community. Combines state

sovereignty with national identity.

Nation-State Building

It's about turning a group of people living in one area into a functioning, organized country.

Multinational State

Contains multiple national groups

with no single dominant group.

Examples: Indonesia, Afghanistan,

Nigeria, Belgium.

Stateless Nation

Group sharing cultural identity and

homeland but lacking political

independence. Examples: Kurds,

Yoruba, Palestinians.

Refugees

People forced to flee their country due to persecution, armed conflict, or violence.

Independence

Freedom from control by other states, with duty of

non-intervention.

Equality

All states are equal in international law despite factual

inequalities.

Self-Defense

Right to take measures to counteract dangers to existence.

Territorial Integrity

Right to terrestrial, maritime, aerial, and space territory.

International Law

a set of rules and principles governing the relations and conduct of

sovereign states with each other, as well as with international organizations and individuals.

Sovereignty

the principle that states have the exclusive right to govern

their own territory without interference from other states.

Consent

a crucial principle in international law, as it establishes the voluntary

participation of states in legal agreements and treaties.

Pacta Sunt Servanda

means "agreements must be kept." It reflects the principle that states are expected to fulfill their obligations under international treaties and agreements in good faith.

Customary International Law

refers to the practices and

norms that have developed over time and are accepted as legally binding by states.

Treaties and Conventions

formal agreements between

states that establish legal obligations.

Diplomatic Immunity

is a principle that grants certain privileges

and immunities to diplomats and diplomatic missions.

State Responsibility

the principle that states are accountable for

their actions under international law.

International Law Commission

established by the General Assembly in 1947 to

promote the progressive development of international law and its codification. The

Commission is composed of 34 members who collectively represent the world's principal

legal systems, and serve as experts in their individual capacity, not as representatives of

their governments.

Judicial Settlement of Disputes

Court has addressed international disputes involving

economic rights, rites of passage, the non-use of force, non-interference in the internal

affairs of states, diplomatic relations, hostage-taking, the right of asylum and nationality.

North-South Divide

also known as Rich-Poor Divide, is an imaginary line

separating from economically developed (MEDC) and less economically developed (LEDC)

countries.

Brandt Line

splits the world into relatively richer and poorer nations: the North and the

South. It is proposed by Willy Brandt during the 1980s.

North

More Economically

Developed Countries

(MEDCs) with stable

economies and

technological advantages.

South

Less Economically

Developed Countries

(LEDCs) with historically

lower GDP and HDI.

Economic Indicators

GDP, GNP, GNP per capita measure monetary value of goods and services.

Health Metrics

Birth/death rates, infant mortality, life expectancy reflect healthcare quality.

Social Factors

Literacy rates indicate education access. Human Development Index combines multiple

factors.

Alternative Measures

Gross National Happiness considers wellbeing beyond economic metrics.