Introduction to Politics - State System Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on the state system in political science, including definitions, theoretical perspectives, and contemporary challenges.

What marked the beginning of the modern international order?

The Peace of Westphalia (1648).

Which two scholars provided significant theories on the state system?

Hedley Bull and Kenneth Waltz.

How many recognised sovereign states exist today?

Nearly 200.

What are the essential elements of a state?

Sovereignty, people, government, and territory.

According to Benedict Anderson, how is a nation defined?

As an 'imagined political community'.

What is the principle of self-determination?

The right of a people to decide their political status and pursue economic, social, and cultural development.

What distinguishes internal sovereignty from external sovereignty?

Internal sovereignty refers to authority within the national sphere, while external sovereignty refers to the relationship between a sovereign power and other states.

What is a stateless nation?

An ethnic group that does not comprise the majority of the population in the country where its homeland is located or in any other country.

What challenges do contemporary nation-states face?

Globalisation, migration, and the rise of supranational organizations.

How does the concept of sovereignty relate to legitimacy in political science?

Sovereignty must be accepted by the governed to be effective, linking it closely to legitimacy.