FOUNDATIONS
What is state sovereignty?
A state's independence, control over its territory and ability to govern its population.
Name one source of sovereignty discussed in this unit.
The possession and use of force, or international laws and norms.
Which type of sovereignty concerns a state's authority within its own borders?
Internal sovereignty.
What happens when a state loses its monopoly on the use of force?
Other groups may use violence without effective state control.
What does TNC stand for?
Transnational company.
What does it mean for a state to be independent?
It can govern itself and make its own decisions without being controlled by another state.
Which state institutions commonly help maintain control over the use of force within a country?
The police and the judicial system. Armed forces may also be mentioned if appropriately explained.
Which type of sovereignty concerns a state's ability to act independently when dealing with other states?
External sovereignty.
What is supranationality?
A system in which an international organisation makes collective decisions that can prevail even when individual member states disagree.
What is a transnational cultural group?
A group whose members share an identity, values or culture while living in more than one state.
According to the principles associated with the Peace of Westphalia, should one state interfere in another state's internal affairs? Explain briefly.
No. States should respect one another's independence and avoid interfering in each other's internal affairs.
Choose the correct answer: What is a global norm?
A. A rule that every country must follow because it is always legally binding.
B. A shared expectation about acceptable behaviour.
C. A law made by one country's government.
B
Name two characteristics of strong internal sovereignty.
The government can control the population, make decisions and enforce laws, and people accept the authority of the state.
Why might an Indigenous community's claim to ancestral land challenge state sovereignty?
The community's claim to land, resources or autonomy may challenge the state's authority over that territory.
Give one example of how a technology company could challenge a government's authority.
Its platforms may spread misinformation, influence elections or affect the government's ability to control information.
A government cannot control violence in parts of its territory and cannot provide basic services to its population. What type of state might this be?
A failed state, because the government struggles to maintain control and fulfil its basic responsibilities.
A state agrees to an international law but later violates it. Name one possible consequence.
Economic sanctions or condemnation by other states.
Country A has a strong economy and military.
Country B depends heavily on other countries and struggles to act independently in international affairs.
Which country may have greater external sovereignty, and why?
Country A, because wealth and military strength can increase a state's ability to act independently and prioritise its interests.
A government cannot provide basic services or control violence in parts of its territory. What term from the chapter may describe this situation?
A failed state, if the state has lost the ability to govern while retaining some external sovereignty.
Name one benefit and one possible risk of a TNC operating in a country.
Benefit: jobs, investment, training or tax revenue. Risk: influence over laws and policies, or exploitation of workers' rights.