States and Nations SO408 AP CompGOPO Mr. Currie. Read “’Nations” or ‘States’ an Attempt at Definition” 1. In your notes, write out the “attributes” of.

States and Nations

SO408 AP CompGOPOMr. Currie

Read “’Nations” or ‘States’ an Attempt at Definition”1. In your notes, write out the “attributes”

of nationhood. How is Rasmussen similar to or different from Powell’s explanation?

2. In your notes, write out the “attributes” of a state. How is Rasmussen similar to or different from Powell’s explanation?

3. How does Rasmussen explain the concept of the “nation-state”? Why does he state that “the nationalist ideal of a world of nation-states is unworkable”?

Read “Iraq is a state but not a nation; Kurdistan is the opposite”1. What evidence is presented that “Iraq is

not a nation”?2. What evidence is presented to support the

idea that Kurdistan is a nation?3. How well does Iraq meet Rasmussen’s

“attributes” for a state? Explain.4. How well does Kurdistan meet

Rasmussen’s “attributes” for a nation? Explain.

5. How does this article support or refute the information/ideas in the Rasmussen article?

States and Nations

Word “nation” refers to a group of people with a common identity.

Cases in which national identification and the scope of legal authority largely coincide are called nation-states.

Multinational States: consist of a multitude of different nations (Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia were multinational states that have now broken apart.)

Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Modern StateA set of ongoing institutions that

develops and administers laws and generates and implements public policies in a specific territory.

Questions about the modern stateFrom Rasmussen’s attributes or characteristics

What are bureaucracies and why are they important components (parts) of a modern state?

Why is sovereignty important to a modern state? How is external sovereignty different from internal sovereignty?

Characteristics of the Modern State (Rasmussen expanded)

Monopoly on the exercise of force (Weber)

Legitimacy◦The recognized right to rule

Institutional structures established to handle governmental tasks, including, but not limited to, the exercise of force◦Requires some sort of Bureaucracy◦A large set of appointed officials whose

function is to implement the laws of the state, as directed by the executive

Characteristics of the Modern State(Rasmussen expanded)

Territory – absolute or partial control

Sovereignty◦Quality of a state in which it is

legally recognized by the family of states as the sole legitimate governing authority within its territory and as the legal equal of other states

Characteristics of the Modern State (Rasmussen expanded)

SovereigntyExternal sovereignty – sovereignty

relative to outside powers that is legally recognized in international law

Internal sovereignty – the sole authority within a territory capable of making and enforcing laws and policies◦Case study - Somaliland

Factors Affecting the Development of StatesHow has imperialism affected the

development of states?How has Globalization and the

End of the Cold War affected the development of states?

How has the process of state and nation-building affected the development of states?

Factors Affecting the Development of States

INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC

Historical Imperialism State & nation-building

Contemporary Globalization & the end of the Cold War

Pressures from below

The modern state analyzed, Part 1Why can we say that “States are

temporary and somewhat arbitrary”?

What is “diplomatic recognition” and why is it important?

What factors determine why some parts of the earth become states and others don’t?

The modern state analyzedStates are temporary and

somewhat arbitrary◦UN vs IOC◦Boundaries change

War, negotiation, sale

◦“Diplomatic recognition” confers legitimacy on a new state Who gets a state, and why? What about the “stateless”?

The modern state analyzed, Part 2What are “pressures from below” and

how do they affect modern states?◦How do the forces of “nationalism” work to

both strengthen and weaken the modern state?

What are “pressures from above” and how do they affect modern states?

One way of analyzing the modern state leads to the conclusion that China is a “strong” state, but the USA is a “weak” state.” How can that be?

The modern state analyzedPressures from below

◦ Devolution◦ Separatist claims and pressures from ethnic

groups, religious groups, demographics (esp. young and old) Political: e.g., Scotland and Catalonia (Spain) Violent: e.g., Boko Haram and IS

◦ Privatization ◦ Downsizing◦ Economics

Read: “The other caliphate” ◦ Why is this an example of “pressures from

below”?

The modern state analyzedPressures from above

◦Loss of sovereignty to “supra-national organizations

EU, NATO, NAFTA, WTO, World Bank, IMF, etc. MNCs – Multi-national Corporations

Read: “Taming the beast”◦Is this an example of “pressures from

above”? Why or why not?

Read “Identity, not ideology, is moving the world”Answer the following questions for HW

(to be collected) 1. Summarize the main idea(s) found in Zakaria’s article.2. What evidence does he present to support his claims? 3. Zakaria uses the word “nationalism” several times throughout the article. What does the word mean to Zakaria in the context of this article?

The modern state analyzed, Part 3What distinguishes a

“sustainable” state from a “stable” state or a “fragile” state or a “hollow” state or a “failed” state?

The modern state analyzedFund For Peace Fragile State IndexAnalyze 12 “indicators” and assign scoresFocus is on “State Fragility”

◦The loss of physical control of its territory or a monopoly on the legitimate use of force;

◦The erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions;

◦An inability to provide reasonable public services;

◦The inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community.

Fund For Peace

Fund For Peace

The modern state analyzedCountries are then placed into categories

◦ “Very High Alert” – “failed state”◦ “High Alert”◦ “Alert”◦ “Very High Warning”◦ “High Warning”◦ “Warning” ◦ “Less Stable”◦ “Stable”◦ “Very Stable”◦ “Sustainable”◦ “Very Sustainable”

FFP Fragile State Index 2014“The king is dead; long-live the

king!”◦“top ten”◦“bottom ten”◦“most improved”◦“who lost ground?”

The modern state analyzedFund For Peace categories “Very

Sustainable,”, “Sustainable,” “Very Stable” & “Stable”◦ Complete external & internal sovereignty◦ Absolute legitimacy and a monopoly on the use of

force◦ A completely effective & efficient set of state

institutions◦ Provide “political goods” to their population

Security; the rule of law; a functioning legal system; and infrastructure such as roads, public education, and health care

What do these countries seem to have in common?

The modern state analyzed Weak (FFP “Very High Warning,” “High Warning” &

“Warning”)◦ A state that cannot provide adequate political goods to its

population Failed (FFP “Very High Alert” & “High Alert”)

◦ A state that is so weak that it loses effective sovereignty over part or all of its territory

◦ South Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Congo, Libya, Afghanistan …. Hollow & Collapsed (a different way to label a “failed”

state)◦ Quasi-states: states that have legal sovereignty and

international recognition but lack almost all the domestic attributes of a functioning modern state

◦ Sierra Leone, Liberia and the “resource curse” What do countries in these categories have in

common?

HomeworkGo to the Fund for Peace websiteFind the country you have been researchingHow does it rank on the various criteria? What is its overall classification?Go to the “country-by-country trend analysis” and summarize its progress (or decline) over the last several years. What is the explanation for these changes?Include FFP data and analysis in your report

Resource Curses & Rentier StatesAdapted from the 2010 AP Comp Gov

Exam (Question #4; 8-10 minutes to respond)Define a rentier (rent-seeking) state. Identify one rentier state among the six AP

Comparative Politics and Government countries.

Describe a problem that a rentier state typically faces that has an impact on economic development.

Describe a problem that a rentier state typically faces that has an impact on political development.

Resource Curses & Rentier StatesA rentier state derives substantial portions

of their income from external (foreign) rent◦ “rent” is obtained from exporting a raw material or

other natural resource Oil, natural gas, diamonds, etc.

◦ Which of our “case study” countries are rentier states?

Effects on economic development◦ Lack of diversification of the economy

Decline in other parts of the economy

◦ Price fluctuations caused by dependence on world markets

◦ No incentive to industrialize/modernize economy◦ Often makes income inequality worse

Resource Curses & Rentier StatesEffects on political development

◦ Often creates a “rentier class” Economic wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few Opportunities for corruption – “rent seeking”

Proceeds are exploited for personal gain, not for the greater public good

Those groups who are “left out” often resort to violence to get their “fair share”

◦ Rentier states do not need to seek legitimacy through democratic representation Since there is less need to tax citizens for revenue “No taxation without representation” becomes “No

representation without taxation.” Little pressure from below to demand democratic rights

◦ Often associated with authoritarian regimes

Anatomy of a “Very High Alert” State: The Case of South Sudan One of the world’s newest states

◦Former British colony◦Divided north & south along

demographic and religious lines North: Arab & Muslim

Political and administrative power here South: African & (mostly) Christian

Resources (oil) here, but controlled by north Christians suffered discrimination from central

government One of the least developed and most poverty-

stricken regions in the world: 85% below poverty line (46% in north)

In 2011 est. 24 miles of paved road in entire country

Anatomy of a “Very High Alert” State: The Case of South Sudan Fighting off and on from 1955

◦2nd civil war (1983-2003) – est. 2 million died of war, famine & disease Began when the president declared that

Sudan was to be an Islamic state Shari’a Law imposed Slavery was legal

South revolted Independence supported by celebrities (George

Clooney) & US government

◦Comprehensive Peace Agreement 2004 Referendum to decide independence 98%+ voted for independence

Anatomy of a “Very High Alert” State: The Case of South Sudan Post-independence

◦ Supported by many humanitarian organizations◦ Big UN presence◦ Economy largely based on oil-exports

Pipelines run through Sudan Northern neighbor is not helpful

◦ Cleavages between the leadership of south Personal & tribal

◦ Violence between factions breaks out South invades the north Civil war in south Economy severely damaged Institution and nation-building grind to a halt Humanitarian crises

Anatomy of a “Very High Alert” State: The Case of South Sudan Lessons learnedWishing for a country doesn’t make it so.

◦ Nation-building is not easy (see Iraq) A “pre-failed” state

◦ It takes a long time to create the institutions and political culture to sustain a functioning state. 20 years? Freedom means freedom to kill your political enemies

“No good deed goes unpunished.” (Claire Booth Luce’s law)◦ Western, humanitarian intervention isn’t enough

It’s often unwanted; it also creates more opportunities for corruption

Resources and mission are often mis-matched (UN)

“Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong” (Murphy’s Law)

The modern state analyzed? How easy or difficult is it for a state to make

and enforce policies?Strong vs. weak – depends on capacity AND

autonomy Capacity: ability of a state to use power in

order to carry out the basic tasks of a state.◦ High capacity – able to develop and enact

fundamental policies to ensure stability, security, justice, political/civil rights, basic services, etc. Requires not just $; also organization, legitimacy &

effective leadership Roads get built/maintained, regulations are created and

followed, lawbreakers are punished

◦ Low capacity = ???

The modern state analyzedAutonomy: the ability of the state to use

its power independently of the public or international actors◦Closely related to sovereignty◦ It’s the informal, practical ability to act on its

sovereignty◦High autonomy: If an autonomous state wished

to carry out a policy or action, it can do so without having to consult the public or worry about strong public or international opposition that might force it to reverse its decision. China builds the Three Gorges Dam and the South-

North Water Diversion Project

High Autonomy Low Autonomy

High Capacity

State is able to fulfill basic tasks with a minimum of public interference; power highly centralized, strong state

State is able to fulfill basic tasks, but public plays a direct role in determining policy and is able to limit state power and scope of activity

Danger: Too high a level of capacity and autonomy may prevent or undermine democracy

Danger: State may be unable to develop new policies or respond to new challenges owing to the power of organized opposition

Low Capacity

State is able to function with a minimum of public interference or direct control, but its capacity to fulfill basic tasks is limited

State lacks the ability to fulfill basic tasks and is subject to direct public control and interference; power highly decentralized among state and nonstate actors; weak state

Danger: State is ineffectual, limiting development, and slow development may provoke public unrest

Danger: Too low a level of capacity and autonomy may lead to internal state failure