Lecture 12

Question 1

L12: What does Douglas North emphasize in his definition of the state?

Answer 1

The role of institutions and governance in shaping economic performance

Question 1

What is Max Weber’s definition of the state?

Answer 1

A human community that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.

Question 2

What is Charles Tilly’s argument regarding the formation of states?

Answer 2

“War makes states,” indicating that conflict and warfare play a crucial role in state-building.

Question 3

What are the two common factors that define a state?

Answer 3

Territory and power.

Question 4

How is the state defined in terms of its administrative functions?

Answer 4

As an administrative apparatus that makes and implements public policies and uses coercive power to rule within a given territory.

Question 5

What is the primary role of the state?

Answer 5

To govern a country and exercise authority over its population and territory.

Question 6

What is a nation?

Answer 6

A group of people who share a common identity based on language, culture, ethnicity, history, and sometimes religion.

Question 7

What is a homogeneous nation?

Answer 7

A nation where the majority of the population shares a common national identity, culture, and language.

Question 8

What is a heterogeneous nation?

Answer 8

A nation that consists of multiple groups with different identities, cultures, and languages.

Question 9

What is the difference between a nation and a state?

Answer 9

A nation is a group of people with a shared identity, while a state is a political entity with defined borders and a government.

Question 10

Can a state contain more than one nation?

Answer 10

Yes, many modern states are heterogeneous and contain multiple nations (e.g., Canada).

Question 11

What is an example of a nation that exists across multiple states?

Answer 11

The Kurds, who inhabit regions in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

Question 12

Who are the Kurds?

Answer 12

The Kurds are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without a recognized independent state, with a distinct language and culture.

Question 13

What shapes national identity?

Answer 13

National identity is shaped by historical experiences, cultural practices, and shared values.

Question 14

What is nationalism?

Answer 14

Nationalism is a political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, often advocating for self-governance or independence.

Question 15

What complexities arise from multiple nations existing within or across state boundaries?

Answer 15

The interplay between identity, culture, and politics can lead to conflicts, movements for autonomy, and challenges in governance.

Question 16

What is a political regime?

Answer 16

A set of rules and norms that dictate how a government operates and how power is distributed within a state.

Question 17

What are the two broad categories of political regimes?

Answer 17

Democracies and nondemocracies.

Question 18

What are the types of nondemocracies?

Answer 18

Authoritarianism, autocracy, and dictatorships.

Question 19

What is majoritarian democracy?

Answer 19

A system focused on majority rule, where the elected majority has significant power to make decisions, promoting decisiveness and clarity.

Question 20

What is consensus democracy?

Answer 20

A system that promotes inclusiveness and divides power among different groups, accommodating diverse interests.

Question 21

What is the definition of government?

Answer 21

The individuals and organizations that act on behalf of the state.

Question 22

How do states and governments differ?

Answer 22

States are enduring political entities with defined borders, while governments are the current administrations that can change frequently.

Question 23

Can you give an example of a state and its regime types?

Answer 23

Brazil (state) can have regimes such as monarchy, military regime, or democracy.

Question 24

Who are some notable leaders within Brazil's democratic regime?

Answer 24

Cardoso, Rouseff, Bolsonaro, and Lula.

Question 25

Why are states considered more enduring than regimes?

Answer 25

States can dissolve, but they generally last longer than specific regimes, which can change due to political upheaval or reform.

Question 26

What is a key requirement for a political community to be considered a state?

Answer 26

It must be sovereign, meaning it has the authority to govern autonomously over a given territory.

Question 27

What does sovereignty refer to?

Answer 27

The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Question 28

How did colonies become states?

Answer 28

Colonies became states after gaining independence.

Question 29

What are substates?

Answer 29

Political entities that lack international sovereignty and do not have the same status as fully recognized states.

Question 30

How are ideas about sovereignty changing?

Answer 30

The concept of sovereignty is evolving, reflecting changes in international relations and governance.

Question 31

What is required for a state to be recognized as a member of the international community?

Answer 31

A state must have diplomatic recognition, which includes the exchange of ambassadors.

Question 32

Why is diplomatic recognition important?

Answer 32

It is required for membership in international organizations, such as the United Nations.

Question 33

What are political goods that states are expected to provide?

Answer 33

Security, law, and infrastructure.

Question 34

What do citizens generally expect from their state?

Answer 34

Economic prosperity (American Dream) and overall well-being, including access to jobs, education, and healthcare.

Question 36

What characterizes a strong state?

Answer 36

A strong state is capable of effectively providing political goods and has robust institutions and a functioning government

Question 37

What defines a weak state?

Answer 37

A weak state struggles to provide essential political goods and often lags behind in governance and service delivery.

Question 38

What are the characteristics of a failed state?

Answer 38

Failed states can no longer enforce policies, maintain control, or provide basic services, often experiencing civil war and devolving into quasi-state entitles.

Question 39

What is the resource curse?

Answer 39

The resource curse is the paradox where countries with abundant natural resources experience less economic growth and worse development outcomes than those with fewer resources.

Question 40

How can significant resources become a burden for a state?

Answer 40

Significant resources can lead to a lack accountability, as revenue allows the state to operate without being answerable to its citizens.

Question 41

What can competition for control over resources lead to in a state?

Answer 41

It can lead to corruption, civil unrest, and war.

Question 42

What are the two views of democracy?

Answer 42

Substantive democracy (focuses on outcomes) and procedural democracy (focuses on processes).

Question 43

What are civil rights?

Answer 43

Individual freedoms and fair treatment under the law.

Question 44

What are political rights?

Answer 44

Rights of citizens to participate in political processes, including the right to vote and run for elective office.

Question 45

What are social rights?

Answer 45

Rights pertaining to the socioeconomic well-being of citizens, ensuring access to basic needs like education and healthcare.

Question 46

What are key features of liberal democracy?

Answer 46

Political rights, competitive elections, periodic elections, one person equals one vote, civil liberties, and rule of law.

Question 47

What does "one person, one vote" mean in a liberal democracy?

Answer 47

Each citizen's vote carries equal weight in the electoral process

Question 48

What is the rule of law?

Answer 48

The principle that all individuals, including government leaders, are subject to the law.

Question 49

What characterizes nondemocratic regimes?

Answer 49

They do not meet democratic criteria and can take forms such as monarchy, military regime, dominant party rule, and personalist rule.

Question 50

What is an absolute monarchy?

Answer 50

A form of monarchy where the monarch has unchecked power and is not subject to other governing bodies.

Question 51

What is a constitutional monarchy?

Answer 51

A monarchy where the monarch serves primarily as a ceremonial figurehead, with real political power held by elected officials.

Question 52

What is a military regime?

Answer 52

A form of governance where the military rules as an institution, often following a coup d'état.

Question 53

What is dominant party rule?

Answer 53

A political system where a single party dominates policy and society.

Question 54

What is personalist rule?

Answer 54

A dictatorship where a single leader holds power without checks from other groups or institutions.