Chapter 3 Flashcards
State
characterized by centralized control of the use of force, bureaucratic organization and the provision of public goods
Rule of Law
a system that imposes regularized rules in a polity, with key criteria including equal rights, the regular enforcement of laws, and the relative independence of the judiciary
modern state
a concept used to distinguish states in the modern world from earlier forms of political centralization: extensive bureaucracy, centralization of violence, and impersonality
settler states
settlers outnumbered indigenous people which prevented independence
looking at issues of state capacity and failed states: the history of past or ongoing colonization is important to take into consideration
state capacity
state capacity is the measurement of a states ability to accomplish its goals
- it has an established monopoly on the use of force
- it has a smoothly functioning bureaucracy w low levels of corruption
- mainins infrasturctre, education and public health
- rule of law is maintained, taxes
failed state
states fail when their capacity declines below a certain point ( somalia)
Examples of states
United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Brazil.
What are the essential elements of the state?
territory, population, government, sovereignty
Example of state territory:
United States - 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Example of state population
China - with over 1.4 billion people, it has the largest population in the world.
What is state sovereignty?
State sovereignty refers to the exclusive authority and power of a state to govern its territory and make decisions without external interference.
Example of state sovereignty
North Korea - Known for its isolationist policies and tightly controlled government, it exercises a high level of sovereignty.
What is the role of government in the state?
The government is responsible for making and implementing policies, maintaining order, and providing public services.
Example of state government:
Germany - A federal parliamentary republic with a Chancellor as the head of government and a President as the head of state.
How do states interact with each other?
States engage in diplomacy, form alliances, engage in trade, and participate in international organizations such as the United Nations.
