Lecture #6: The State

Flashcards created from lecture notes covering key terms and definitions related to the concept of the State in world politics.

Sovereignty

The principle that within its territorial boundaries, the state is the supreme political authority, and recognizes no higher political authority outside those boundaries.

Peace of Westphalia

The 1648 treaty that established the principles of cuius regio, eius religio and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.

Anarchy

A state of disorder due to the absence of a central authority in world politics.

International order

Regularized practices of exchange among discrete political units that recognize each other as independent.

Hierarchy

The nature and variation in power relations between superior and subordinate actors.

Status (in world politics)

Collective beliefs about a given state’s ranking on valued attributes such as wealth, coercive capabilities, and diplomatic clout.

Material capabilities

Realists argue that these capabilities determine state behavior and the importance of international law.

Soft power

The ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion.

Statelessness

The condition of a person not being recognized as a national by any state under its law.

Declarative theory

The theory that an entity can declare itself a state if it meets specified criteria, independent of recognition by other states.

Constitutive theory

The theory that an entity is considered a state only if it is recognized as sovereign by at least one other state.

Rohingya conflict

The ongoing conflict since 1947 in Myanmar characterized by discrimination and violence against the Rohingya people.

UN member states

Countries that have been recognized by the United Nations, with specific criteria for membership outlined in the UN Charter.

Human rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person, which stateless persons are often denied access to.

Nationality laws

Legal regulations that govern how individuals acquire or lose citizenship and rights within a state.