The State

Question 1

What are some aspects of the state?

Answer 1

The state is still an important aspect of sociopolitical life

The state is a historical concept and/or reality

The state is a contested concept

Question 2

____ argues that state is still an important aspect of socio-political life because states provide an agreed upon mechanism for establishing priorities, and for making choices among competing priorities.

Answer 2

Peters and Pierre, 2006

Question 3

These are political apparatuses, distinct from both ruler and ruled, with supreme jurisdiction over a demarcated territorial area, backed by a claim to a monopoly of coercive power, and enjoying a minimum level of support or loyalty from their citizens.

Answer 3

(Nation) state

Question 4

What are features of bureaucracy?

Answer 4

A separation between politics and elected politicians on the one hand and administration and appointed administrators on the other

Administration is continuous, predictable and rule-governed

Administrators are appointed on the basis of qualifications, and area trained professionals, i.e., the state is meritocratic

There is functional division of labour, and a hierarchy of tasks and people

Resources belong to the organization, not to the individuals who work in it

Public servants serve public rather than private interest

Question 5

Features of the Westphalian System of state.

Answer 5

1. The world consists of, and is divided by, sovereign state which recognize no superior authority
2. The processes of law-making, the settlement of disputes and law-enforcement are largely in the hands of individual states subject to the logic of the “competitive struggle for power”
3. Difference among states are often settled by force
   a. The principle of effective power holds sway
   b. Virtually no legal fetters exist to curb the resort to force
   c. International legal standards afford minimal protection
4. No collective interest in compliance with international law is recognized
5. All states are regarded as equal before the law
   a. Legal rules to not take account of asymmetries of power
6. International law is oriented to the establishment of minimal rules of co-existence
7. The minimization of impediments on state freedom is the collective priority (Principle of non interference)

Question 6

According to ____, nation-states became supreme because they won at war, were economically successful and, subsequently, achieved a significant degree of legitimacy in the eyes of their populations and other states.

Answer 6

Held, 1995

Question 7

What are the ingredients in establishing legitimacy of state/state supremacy?

Answer 7

Winning wars, economic success, significant degree of legitimacy (on the eyes of state’s population and of other states)

Question 8

In Held’s definition of state supremacy, winning wars indicate?

Answer 8

State’s military prowess, and administrative apparatuses

Question 9

In Held’s definition of state supremacy, economic success indicates?

Answer 9

A capitalist mode of production with expansion of markets

State’s apparatuses in taking care of its population

Question 10

In Held’s definition of state supremacy, a significant degree of legitimacy in the eyes of their populations and other states indicates?

Answer 10

intact citizenship and national identity

Question 11

Statehood is indicated by empirical and juridical parameters. These include:

Answer 11

Empirical: Effective government and integrated population (state building is nation building)

Juridical: Claims to territory; Claims to sovereignty

Question 12

In statehood, effective government is said to be indicated by effective social control. What determines social control?

Answer 12

compliance, participation and legitimacy

Question 13

In statehood, claims to sovereignty is indicated by parameters, internal and external. These include:

Answer 13

Internal: supreme jurisdiction over a territory and a population

external: right to inter-relate