Principles of Government

state: a political community in a precise territory.

sovereignty [a state has this]

Its government makes and enforces its own laws without approval from any authority.

 nation often used for state, but it really means a sizable group of people who believe themselves united by the common bonds of:

What are four common bonds that unite people in a nation?race, language, custom or religion

What are the four essential features of a state? Provide details for each.

1-Population: •States where the people share an agreement about basic beliefs and values have the most stable governments

•Shifts in population influence a state’s political organization. o In recent decades, millions of Americans have moved to

Texas, California, Nevada and Arizona, shifting political power from the NE to the SW.

•States that have lost population now have fewer representatives in Congress, while states with a growing population have gained representatives.

What are the four essential features of a state? Provide details for each.

2-Territory: •A state has established boundaries.

oThe continental US: Atlantic-Pacific, and recognized borders with Canada and Mexico.

 •The exact location or shape of political boundaries is often a source of conflict among stats.  

oTerritorial boundaries may change as a result of war, negotiations or purchase. [LA Purchase, Mexican War...]

What are the four essential features of a state? Provide details for each.

3-Sovereignty: •Political sovereignty means that a state has supreme and absolute authority within its boundaries.

•A state has complete independence and power to make laws, foreign policy and determine its course of action.  

oIn theory, no state has the right to interfere with the internal affairs of another state.

oIn practice, states with great economic strength and military capabilities have more power than other states.

 

What are the four essential features of a state? Provide details for each.

4-Government:

Is the institution through which a state maintains social order, provides public services andenforces decisions that are binding on all its residents.

Of the four essential features of a state, which do you think is the most essential?

Explain your response.