POLI104 reading - Krasner 2004 'Sharing Sovereignty' - the state, sovereignty, and imperialism

What historical event is considered the foundation of modern sovereign states?

The Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

What major revolutions followed the Treaty of Westphalia in the standard historical narrative of the state?

The American and French Revolutions (18th century)

Which two countries' formations are noted in the 19th century as part of the standard historical narrative of the state?

Germany and Italy

What significant event in state formation occurred in the late 20th century?

The breakup of the Soviet Union

What is a critical argument regarding the modern nation-state?

It should be seen as an imperial state, not just a nation-state.

How did European states expand their power globally?

Through colonialism, dominating parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

What does the standard historical narrative omit about postcolonial state formations?

The role of colonialism and external domination in state formation.

What is the Westphalian System known for?

Marking a transition from religious unity to a system of independent states with fixed territories.

What critique is made about the Westphalian model of sovereignty?

It assumes non-European states were never sovereign and ignores the violent incorporation of colonized lands.

Who critiques the Westphalian model and what is their main argument?

Antony Anghie argues that European states used sovereignty as justification for imperial expansion.

What is the Weberian definition of the modern state?

The monopoly of coercion within a territory.

How did the formation of nation-states relate to imperialism according to the seminar notes?

Nation-state formation cannot be separated from imperialism.

What example is given of Germany's imperial expansion?

The Herero and Nama genocide (1904-1907) in Namibia.

What do scholars like Bob Jessop fail to fully integrate into their analysis of state formation?

Colonial histories and the impact of imperial conquest.

What distinction do some scholars make between nation-states and empires?

They argue that nation-states should be treated separately from empires.

What does Bhambra argue about the relationship between nation-states and empires?

Nation-states were empires and should not be treated separately.

How did citizenship laws in Europe initially treat colonial subjects?

They included colonial subjects, as seen in Britain's 1948 Nationality Act.

What change occurred in British immigration laws from 1962 to 1971?

They racially restricted citizenship to favor white Europeans.

What is the implication of misidentifying imperial states as national states?

It distorts historical and political analysis.

What does Bhambra advocate for in understanding modern states?

A connected sociologies approach that reintegrates colonial and imperial histories.

What contemporary issues are shaped by the imperial origins of modern states?

Citizenship, migration, racial exclusion, and political inequalities.

What is a key argument regarding the historical narrative of the postcolonial state?

It is often treated as an isolated phenomenon without considering colonialism's role.

Critiques of Krasner's article

Imperialist tones: his two proposals suggest that western powers or international actors should assume control over ‘less developed’ states

Focuses on incompetence of developing countries - does not acknowledge historical role of colonialism