Sovereignty, Borders, and Fragile States (Lecture Notes)

Flashcards covering sovereignty, borders, ethnic heterogeneity, neopatrimonialism, fragile states, and regional examples of disputed sovereignty.

What is the consequence of colonial powers not projecting power and having weak border control on state boundaries?

Boundaries become locked in place, and states have less scope and strength, making them vulnerable to attempts to alter borders.

How does the note describe the contrast with European examples for small states in terms of GDP, taxes, and identity?

GDP is low; taxes and lack of a common identity can be disruptive to the economy and state cohesion.

Why might population differences and the nature of warfare between continents be difficult to appreciate until you compare them side by side?

Because these factors interact and matter for state development and governance in ways that aren’t obvious when viewed in isolation.

What international features become more pronounced in the contemporary era compared to earlier periods of state formation?

Sovereignty, foreign aid, and ethnic heterogeneity.

How can ethnic and religious divisions affect governance in states like Nigeria, according to the notes?

Divisions can lead to diverting resources to favored groups, creating neopatrimonial governance and weakening national development.

What term describes governance that primarily serves the interests of a particular group rather than the country as a whole?

Neopatrimonialism.

What is the role of organizations that evaluate fragile states and develop indicators?

They assess fragility and measure indicators to understand and respond to fragile situations, including external incursions.

Name examples of regions with disputed or unclear sovereignty status mentioned in the notes.

Taiwan (not formally recognized), Kosovo (unclear status), and Palestinian territories (statehood without broad international veto).

What does the concept of an 'ideal type' imply about how states should look, and why can this be problematic?

An ideal type is a context- and history-specific model; applying it universally can mislead comparisons due to historical and contextual differences.

What is a common consequence of assuming a single 'ideal' state model when comparing different regions?

It overlooks contextual differences and can misrepresent how governance works in different places.