Topic 1.1

Question 1

What is the global vs international level of analysis?

Answer 1

Global - Events and trends that have far-reaching and long-term impact across the world, cutting across national identities and interests.

International - Events and trends that have a narrower impact than global events and trends, but have implications for several countries

Question 2

What is a stakeholder?

Answer 2

• People who are impacted by a political issue who may not be directly involved in the issue
• These people may not be aware that that they could exercise power

Example - Citizens of Russia or Ukraine in the war

Question 3

What is an actor?

Answer 3

• Those who have power to bring about change
• Can be seen at all levels of the global society from international to local

Example - Putin, Russia, in the war

Question 4

Whats an NGO?

Answer 4

A huge variety of organisations that aim to help people but always remain independent from any kind of government influence and usually non-profit.

Question 5

What is a Multi-National corperation? (3)

Answer 5

• MNCs operate across multiple countries while maintaining a centralized management structure in their home country.
• They often establish subsidiaries or branches in foreign markets to enhance local market engagement.
• MNCs typically tailor their products and strategies to meet local consumer preferences.

Question 6

Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs)

Answer 6

Groups made up of countries that work together on common goals, like peace or trade (e.g., the United Nations).

Question 7

What is a transnational corporation? (3)

Answer 7

1) TNCs function on a global scale with a decentralized organizational framework.

2) They do not conform to a singular headquarters, allowing for regional autonomy.

3) Decision-making processes within TNCs are often localized, promoting responsiveness to diverse market conditions.

Question 8

Who are non-state actors?

Answer 8

Individuals or groups that aren’t part of a government but still influence politics (e.g., NGOs, companies).

Question 9

What is power diffusion?

Answer 9

When power is spread among many different groups instead of being held by one group, like a government.

Question 10

State sovereignty

Answer 10

A country’s right to control its own affairs without outside interference.

Question 11

What was the Treaty of Westphalia? (4)

Answer 11

1. Ended one of the most destructive conflicts in Europe’s history.
2. Power struggle - It highleted the rivalry between france and the habsburgs. Affecting european politics.
3. Establishment of Sovereignty: Recognized state sovereignty, reducing the power of religious authorities in political matters.
4. Territorial Integrity: Formalized territorial boundaries, leading to greater stability in European borders.

Question 12

What is the Montevideo Treaty? (4)

Answer 12

1) Defined Criteria for Statehood - Established four key criteria for statehood: a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

2) Sovereign Equality - Emphasized the equality of all sovereign states, regardless of size or power.

3) No state shall intervene in the domestic or foreign affairs of another state.

4) International Recognition - Asserted that statehood does not depend on recognition by other states, but on the fulfillment of the Montevideo criteria.

Question 13

What are the qualifications/charecteristic of a state? (8)

Answer 13

1. Must have internationally recognised borders
2. Permanent Population
3. A form of governing body
4. Able to be recognized by other states
5. Right to levy tax
6. They have the right to defend their territory within its borders
7. They have some form of legal system in place
8. Control of money and currency

Question 14

What is a nation?

Answer 14

A large group of people who share a common identity and constitute an “imagined community.

Question 15

What is a nation-state? (with example)

Answer 15

A nation-state is a country where most people share the same culture, language, and identity. The people in the country form a single nation, and the state’s boundaries match where that nation lives.

Example - Japan: The majority of Japan’s population shares a common language (Japanese), culture, and ethnic identity, making it a classic example of a nation-state.

Question 16

What is a multinational state ? (with example)

Answer 16

A multinational state is a sovereign state that contains two or more distinct nations or cultural groups within its borders. These groups may have different languages, ethnicities, or cultural identities but coexist under one government.

Example : Canada - It is a multinational state, as it includes English-speaking Canadians, French-speaking Quebecois, and wide range of others.

Question 17

What is a stateless nation? (with example)

Answer 17

A stateless nation is a group of people who share a common culture, language, and identity but do not have their own independent country or sovereign state. (often spread across multiple countries)

Example - The Kurds: The Kurdish people share a common language and culture, but they do not have their own country. They live across several countries, including Turkey and Iran.

Question 18

What is a Multi-state nation -? (with example)

Answer 18

A multi-state nation is a group of people who share a common identity, culture, or language but are divided across multiple independent countries or states. The nation exists in more than one state but still has political control in those different states.

Example - Koreans: They are split between North Korea and South Korea. Though they share a common culture and history, they live in two separate countries with their own governments.

Question 19

Fragile (Failed) State Index

Answer 19

The Fragile (Failed) States Index assesses the stability and vulnerability of countries worldwide. It ranks states based on how fragile or stable they are, using indicators that measure their susceptibility to conflict, poor governance, and societal breakdown.

The index helps governments, organizations, and researchers understand the challenges facing vulnerable states and where interventions or support may be needed.

Question 20

Key indicators of Fragile (failed) state index [4 points]

Answer 20

1. Social: Includes pressures like population displacement, refugees, and demographic challenges.
2. Economic: Measures economic decline, inequality, and poverty.
3. Political: Looks at government corruption, human rights violations, and public services.
4. Cohesion: Considers internal conflicts, group grievances, and security forces.

Question 21

Who are Political Leaders ? [6 points]

Answer 21

1) Leaders are individuals who are in charge of a group of people.

2) A political leader is in charge of some form of government, whether that be the state, sub-national or local governments.

3) Some are elected buy the people of the state

4) Some are appointed by a political party or a more powerful political leader

5) Some inherit power by birth

6) Some political leaders become leaders almost by accident. For example, when she was 15, Greta Thunberg probably didn’t expect to become the political leader she now is.

Question 22

Types of Leaders (3)?

Answer 22

1) Top leaders - Highly visible leaders of national significance in field of military, politics or religion

2) Middle leaders - Leaders respected in specific sectors for their work as academics, or on humanitarian issues or representatives of ethnic groups

3) Grassroot leaders - Local leaders directly involved with the community in areas such as local politics, health or community building

Question 23

Sub national

Answer 23

Any government level below the national govern,emt

Question 24

Types of sub national governments (function, exampes) (4)

Answer 24

1) National - Highest level of government, responsible for governing the entire country
Example - Federal Government of USA
2) Regional - Governs a specific geographic area within a country, often larger than states/provinces
3) Provincial - Adminstors provinces , often found in countries like canada and africa. They oversee education, health care, transport etc within the province.
Example - Canada/south africa.
4) Municipal - Local oversight (of cities and towns) handles issues like public goods and necessities.

Answer 26

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