P&B - Contemporary challenges to sovereign state authority

Question 1

current political boundaries

Answer 1

based on the westphalian model - nation states, defined boundaries, sovereign and territorial integrity - enforced by UN charter.

contested borders:
UK & Argentina & Falklands
contested maritime resources

Question 2

transnational corporations

Answer 2

number are growing…

advantages:
drives economic integration, global economy, development.
multiplier effect, lifts poverty levels, stimulates other industries

disadvantages
challenges governmental control and state sovereignty
they expand regardless of state boundaries
nation-sates have lost control of part of their territory, workforce, environment, political decision making
they pursue their own profit interests before the interests of the country they have invested in.
disrespect for human rights
need to have clear CSR policies.

Question 3

supranational institutions

Answer 3

such as large regional trading blocs…

a tier of governance above each state:
UN (IMF, WTO)
NATO
trading blocs (Eu, ASEAN, MERCOSUR)

each state retains its sovereignty, but they are bound to the requirements of the supranational body. they have to surrender some of their sovereignty.

Question 4

The EU

Answer 4

political and monetary union
28 member states, 19 are in the euro zone €

benefits
protects states interests, addresses issues (pollution, crime)

disadvantages
need to implement their laws even if you didn’t vote for them
can’t pass your own laws if they conflict with theirs
can’t set interest rates, austerity measures, have to contribute to bail out funds.
enforced fishing quotas.

Question 5

United nations

Answer 5

nearly every country - 193
the state is still responsible for its bounded territory, citizens and relations with other states

the UN can sanction intervention.
e.g. genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. they will intervene.

Question 6

Political dominance of ethnic groups

Answer 6

geographical distribution of ethnic groups doesn’t always fit with current political borders.

a sovereign state can contain many ethnic groups (Sudan has 60+)

Kurdistan over 5 states
Tuareg over 5 states

if they have a strong identity, culture and political organisation they can demand to create a new state.

Question 7

The Basque Nation

Answer 7

in France and Spain - want independence.
3.1 million
culture, languages, architecture, food, dance, Basque parliament.
carried out violent acts in teh past
youth movements.
they want self-determination.