Powers and Borders SG1
What is Meant by Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity?
What Are Sovereign States?
State – an independent country with clear political borders and a government.
Sovereignty – the government has the power to make laws, defend its borders and make policies.
Sovereign State – an independent country run by a single government which exercises its power over its
population and territory
A typical sovereign state will have:
Internationally recognised territory
Sovereignty
A government recognised by other states and the UN
Engagement in formal international relations
Independent – self-governing
A population with the right to self-determination (the country elects its own government)
Why is the UK an Example of a Confusing Sovereign State?
There is a leading government of the UK, but Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales all have their own
governments as well.
What is a Nation State?
Nation – a large group of people connected by similar culture, language, history, etc.
Nation State – a state that rules over a nation, e.g. Iceland, Japan
Is the UK a Nation State?
Nation State Not a Nation State
Have the same language Different languages – people from other
Each nation is connected through having a countries
British identity Have different cultures/histories
4 different countries
Nations Without a State
Kurdistan – a nation without a state. Have a shared culture, history, etc. but don’t have a country with clear
borders and a government. Spread across Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq.
Features of Nations and States
Nation State
A group of people with a strong sense of Defined territory
unity – cultural, historical, language Independent and self-governed
Evolves over time Government is recognised by other states
Can be without a fixed territory – can be Has legal responsibilities for the welfare
scattered in a diaspora and security of its people
Can have a psychological, moral, spiritual or Actively created and maintained
emotional authority. May have UN membership
What is Meant by Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity?
What Are Sovereign States?
State – an independent country with clear political borders and a government.
Sovereignty – the government has the power to make laws, defend its borders and make policies.
Sovereign State – an independent country run by a single government which exercises its power over its
population and territory
A typical sovereign state will have:
Internationally recognised territory
Sovereignty
A government recognised by other states and the UN
Engagement in formal international relations
Independent – self-governing
A population with the right to self-determination (the country elects its own government)
Why is the UK an Example of a Confusing Sovereign State?
There is a leading government of the UK, but Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales all have their own
governments as well.
What is a Nation State?
Nation – a large group of people connected by similar culture, language, history, etc.
Nation State – a state that rules over a nation, e.g. Iceland, Japan
Is the UK a Nation State?
Nation State Not a Nation State
Have the same language Different languages – people from other
Each nation is connected through having a countries
British identity Have different cultures/histories
4 different countries
Nations Without a State
Kurdistan – a nation without a state. Have a shared culture, history, etc. but don’t have a country with clear
borders and a government. Spread across Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq.
Features of Nations and States
Nation State
A group of people with a strong sense of Defined territory
unity – cultural, historical, language Independent and self-governed
Evolves over time Government is recognised by other states
Can be without a fixed territory – can be Has legal responsibilities for the welfare
scattered in a diaspora and security of its people
Can have a psychological, moral, spiritual or Actively created and maintained
emotional authority. May have UN membership
