Comprehensive Politics and Sovereignty: Power, Authority, State, and Nation

What is politics?

Any systemic effort to move others in pursuit of a design cherished by the mover, involving disagreements and their reconciliation.

What is power in a political context?

The social ability to induce others to do what you want.

Define influence.

The ability to persuade others to voluntarily do your will.

What is coercion?

The deliberate subjection of one will to another through fear or threats, resulting in non-voluntary compliance.

How is authority defined?

A form of power where people obey commands out of respect for the source, not due to persuasion or fear.

What is legitimacy?

The feeling of respect for authority that makes obedience possible.

Define sovereignty.

The authority to overrule all other authorities.

What constitutes a state?

A state exists when a sovereign power effectively rules over a population within fixed territorial boundaries.

What is citizenship?

Membership in a state.

Define a nation.

An identity shared by a large group based on common race, language, religion, customs, and government.

What are the four main powers of sovereignty?

1) Authority to overrule other authorities; 2) Ability to make laws; 3) Ability to enforce laws; 4) Ability to maintain executive functions.

What is the monopoly of legitimate use of violence?

The government's power to protect citizens from harm, control violence, and enforce rules.

What is a failed state?

A state that has lost the ability to effectively control its territory despite having a government apparatus.

Provide an example of a failed state.

Somalia, which has not had an effective national government since 1991.

What are the basic rights of modern citizenship?

Citizens have the right to live within their state and participate in politics.

What are the two major criteria for citizenship?

1) Jus soli (right of soil) - born in the country; 2) Jus sanguinis (right of blood) - citizenship through descent.

What distinguishes ethnic nations from civic nations?

Ethnic nations are based on objective factors like race and language, while civic nations depend on acceptance of the political order.

Why do some argue that nationhood is more political than objective?

Because identity in civic nations can be acquired through acceptance of political order, not solely based on objective factors.