Political Geography

Question 1

List Challenges To Sovereignty

Answer 1

Economic and cultural globalisation, regionalism and nationalism, transnational corporation (TNC’s), non-government organisations (NGO’s)

Question 2

Define Internal Pressure

Answer 2

Those that result from problems and issues within the nation-state

Question 3

Define External Pressure

Answer 3

Those that result from forces beyond the nation-state

Question 4

Explain The Impact Of Internal Prssures And Provide An Example

Answer 4

• In many nation-states there are movements within regions, communities and political groups seeking to gain power over decision-making
• In extreme form, could result in a collapse of central authority within the state in favour of local authorities

Example: some parts of the US there is strong support for a less centralised form of government and for greater power to be handed over to state governments and even smaller county authorities

Question 5

Explain The Goal Of Global Organisations

Answer 5

Want a certain level of peace and stability, world issues are those that relate to promoting peace and resolving conflicts between states

Question 6

How Are International Organisations A Challange To Sovereignty?

Answer 6

Global Legal Systems
- International Court of Justice, deal with disputes between nation states and the International
- Criminal Court to deal with international crimes, such as genocide

Organisations have peaceful dispute resolution -> control the actions of governments

Question 7

How Are Transnational Corporations A Challange To Sovereignty? Provide An Example

Answer 7

Through the process of globalisation, TNCs have power to threaten to remove funding unless certain conditions are met; directly challenging economic sovereignty.
Example:
- Case of General Electric, who through lobbying and threats to take business offshore, has managed to extract tax concessions and subsidies to the point that almost no tax is paid by them (violating US economic sovereignty)

Question 8

Define Sovereignty

Answer 8

The full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies

Question 9

Explain BREXIT As A Case Example Of Sovereignty

Answer 9

BREXIT
- Britaina exit from the EU in 2016
- Created issues -> as a non-EU member it will need to negotiate separate trade arrangements
- The decision will enable Britain to have a more independent voice in matters such as migration and foreign policy

Question 10

Challenges To Sovereignty Lead To Political Tension And Conflict Because…?

Answer 10

Power imbalances within nations: class, culture, indigenous
Control of resources-human and natural
Land use and territory
Defence of state against enemies, both internal and external
Ideology simplified and often does not neatly fit ideas on economy, society and
culture
Economic instability