December 2, Part 2 (Slides 8-9) Flashcards
Who are the people who refuse to be governed by states, and how large is their population?
These are groups of individuals who reject state governance, often living outside traditional state systems. Their population is estimated to be around 80-100 million people, spread across hundreds of ethnic groups, making them approximately equal in size to Europe.
What is terra nullius, and how is it exemplified by Bir Tawil?
Terra nullius refers to “nobody’s land,” a concept where land is not claimed by any state. Bir Tawil is a rare example of terra nullius, widely believed to hold this legal status, making it a unique anomaly on the planet.
Who is ‘King’ Suyash Dixit, and what did he do in Bir Tawil?
In 2017, Suyash Dixit humorously declared himself the king of Bir Tawil, claiming the land by planting a seed and watering it. He referred to ancient practices of land ownership and announced his claim publicly, including to the United Nations.
Why does Bir Tawil challenge the Westphalian system?
Bir Tawil’s status as terra nullius defies the Westphalian system, which assumes all human-inhabited land belongs to a state. Its unclaimed status highlights gaps in the system’s applicability to every region on Earth.
Why is the existence of groups refusing state governance a challenge to the Westphalian system?
These groups challenge the Westphalian assumption that all people live under state authority. Their independence highlights the limits of state control and the need to reconsider how sovereignty is applied to diverse populations.
What ethical and legal questions does Bir Tawil raise?
Bir Tawil raises questions about land ownership and governance in areas unclaimed by any state. It challenges traditional concepts of sovereignty and raises debates over whether modern practices, like planting crops, can justify territorial claims.
What is the “Yellow Mountain Kingdom,” and who is its leader?
The Yellow Mountain Kingdom is a self-declared “state” claiming Bir Tawil as its territory. Its “Prime Minister,” Nadra Nassief, announced diplomatic intentions to establish relations with Egypt and Sudan in 2019, despite neither country officially recognizing the claim.
What diplomatic proposal did the Yellow Mountain Kingdom make in 2019?
On 19 September 2019, the Yellow Mountain Kingdom proposed a tripartite summit with Egypt and Sudan to discuss cooperation and coordination among the three entities. However, neither Egypt nor Sudan officially responded to the proposal.
Why does the Yellow Mountain Kingdom’s declaration of statehood challenge the Westphalian system?
The declaration highlights how unclaimed territories like Bir Tawil can disrupt traditional notions of sovereignty. It shows how individuals or groups can claim and attempt to establish governance over land outside the recognized state system.
