The State The Nation and The Nation 1

State

An institution where politics are organized and formalized, characterized by defined territory, a permanent population, and a government.

Nation

A group of people bound together by some combination of religion, language, location, ethnicity, history, culture, etc.

Sovereignty

The full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without outside interference.

Government

The specific people who wield power on behalf of the state.

Political Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and the course of events.

Citizenship

The status of being a recognized member of a legitimate state, with specific rights and protections.

Failed State

A state with no central or sovereign government in control.

Unitary System

A system where all power is concentrated in the central government.

Confederal System

A system with a very weak central government, where local governments hold most of the power.

Federal System

A system that balances power between two or more levels of government within the same territory.

Ethnic Group

A group of people who share a common cultural heritage but may not seek self-governance.

Rogue State

A state that blatantly ignores global norms of governance and human rights.

Multinational State

A state that contains multiple national groups.

Supranational Organization

An organization formed by multiple countries that transcends the authority of member states.

International Law

A body of rules established by custom or treaty and recognized by nations as binding in their relations with one another.

Great Powers

Countries that are recognized as having significant influence and power on the global stage.

Bipolar Power

A political landscape dominated by two major powers.

Unipolar Power

A political landscape dominated by a single major power.

Multipolar Power

A political landscape with multiple influential powers.

Status Quo Powers

Nations that help set and maintain the global agenda and norms.

Challenging Powers

Nations that seek to confront and change the established global order.

Rising Powers

Nations that are between status quo and challenging powers, navigating their position in global politics.

Non-state actors

Entities that play a role in international relations but are not affiliated with any government.

International Criminal Court

An institution that prosecutes individuals for international crimes such as genocide and war crimes.

Jus cogens

Compelling law that should override the customary law of a country.

Political Legitimacy

The right and acceptance of an authority, often relating to governance and law.

Diplomacy

The practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining relations between nations.

Territory

The defined geographical area over which a state exercises control.

Civic Rights

Rights afforded to citizens, allowing them to participate in the political process.

Political Spectrum

A system for classifying different political positions in relation to one another.

Political Culture

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments that shape the behavior of a political entity.

Globalization

The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.

International Relations

The study of the interactions between countries and the roles of sovereign states.

Human Rights

Inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because they are a human being.

Civic Duty

The responsibilities of a citizen in a political system.

Political Institutions

Structures of a political system that organize the government and society.

Decentralization

The transfer of authority from central to local governments.

Secularism

The principle of separation between government institutions and religious institutions.

Territorial Integrity

The right of a state to defend its territory against incursion from other states.

Civic Engagement

Participation in activities that address issues of public concern.

Nationalism

A political ideology centered around the interests of a particular nation, often emphasizing self-governance.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Global Governance

The way international affairs are managed across states through international cooperation.

Civil Society

The collective of non-governmental organizations and institutions that represent various interests and will of the citizens.

Political Authority

The legitimate power that an individual or group holds over others to enforce laws and policies.

Territorial Disputes

Disagreements between states or groups regarding the possession of territory.