The State
Exercise
1. (A) Choose the correct alternative and complete the following statements.
1. The term Nation is derived from the Latin word Nasci. (Nasci, Natio, Natalis, Nauto)
2. The origin of Liberal Nationalism is in the French Revolution. (American, Russian, French, British)
1. (B) Identify the incorrect pair in every set, correct it, and rewrite.
Incorrect pair:
(a) Aristotle – German Thinker
Corrected pair:
(a) Aristotle – Greek Thinker
Rewritten set:
(a) Aristotle – Greek Thinker
(b) Jean Bodin – French Thinker
(c) Woodrow Wilson – American Thinker
(d) Harold Laski – British Thinker
1. (C) State the appropriate concept for the given statement.
1. Force which holds the people to a sense of political loyalty to the country – Nationalism parlance: Nationalism
2. The area of the State within which it has the authority to govern – Jurisdiction
2. State whether the following statements are true or false with reasons.
1. Progressive Nationalism can create differences amongst people.
False.
Reason: Progressive nationalism promotes unity and development within a society by fostering a sense of togetherness. It does not create differences but rather encourages cooperation and collective progress.
2. Sovereignty means State has the freedom to take its own decision.
True.
Reason: Sovereignty refers to the independent authority of a state to govern itself without external interference. It signifies that the state has the freedom to make its own laws, policies, and decisions.
3. Palestine is a State.
False.
Reason: Palestine is recognized as a nation but not a fully sovereign state. It lacks a sovereign government and control over its territory, which is under Israeli jurisdiction. However, it has been granted ‘Non-member Observer’ status by the UN.
4. Expansionist Nationalism is a type of Aggressive Nationalism.
True.
Reason: Expansionist nationalism is a form of aggressive nationalism where a country seeks to expand its territory or influence to achieve ‘national glory,’ often leading to colonialism or imperialism.
3. Express your opinion of the following.
India is a State.
Opinion: Yes, India is a State. India fulfills all the essential characteristics of a state as defined in political science. It has sovereignty, with its own independent constitution since 1950, which allows it to make decisions without external interference. India has an independent government comprising the executive, legislature, and judiciary, which operates autonomously. It possesses a specific territory, including its land, territorial waters, and airspace, within which it exercises jurisdiction. Finally, India has a diverse population that includes various cultures, languages, and religions, united under the concept of Indian nationalism. Thus, India qualifies as a sovereign state.
4. Answer the following questions.
1. What are the features of a Nation?
Answer:
A nation is a group of people who share a sense of oneness based on common cultural, social, or political identity. The features of a nation are:
- Population: A nation must have a population that shares similarities such as language, religion, culture, ethnicity, or common historical experiences, creating a sense of ethnic or cultural unity.
- Feeling of community: The population must have a psychological and emotional bond, perceiving themselves as a unified community.
- Desire to be politically separate: A nation often seeks self-determination, which may lead to a demand for political independence or self-governance to establish a distinct identity.
2. What is Nationalism? Explain its types.
Answer:
Nationalism is a sense of political identity and love for one’s nation, where people feel emotionally attached to their homeland, derive pride and self-esteem from it, and are motivated to contribute to its welfare. It fosters political loyalty to the country, expressed through actions like cheering for national teams, respecting the national anthem, or supporting the armed forces.
Types of Nationalism:
- Liberal Nationalism: Originating from the French Revolution and reflected in Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, it links nationhood to sovereignty and emphasizes the right of every nation to freedom and self-determination.
- Conservative Nationalism: This is inward-looking, focusing on patriotism and viewing the nation as a closely knit society that values loyalty to national traditions and identity.
- Expansionist Nationalism: An aggressive form of nationalism where countries pursue territorial expansion or empire-building for ‘national glory,’ often leading to colonialism.
- Anticolonial Nationalism: This involves national liberation or freedom struggles, as seen in India’s fight against British colonial rule, driven by the desire for self-determination.
5. Answer the following question in detail with reference to the given points.
Explain the following elements of the State.
(a) Sovereignty
Sovereignty refers to the supreme legal authority of a state to govern itself without external interference. It means the state has the power to formulate its own laws, policies, and decisions independently. For example, India became politically independent in 1947 but achieved sovereignty in 1950 when its constitution came into effect, granting it legal autonomy. Sovereignty is distinct from independence, as the former is a legal concept, while the latter is political.
(b) Government
The government is the administrative arm of the state, responsible for formulating and implementing laws, policies, and decisions. It is sovereign and independent, consisting of three main organs: the Executive (which enforces laws), the Legislature (which makes laws), and the Judiciary (which interprets laws). For instance, before 1947, India had a government under British rule, but it was not sovereign. Only after independence did India establish a sovereign government. Public institutions like these organs act on behalf of the state and have legitimacy to make decisions in the public interest.
(c) Population
A state cannot exist without a population, which forms its human element. The population can be diverse in terms of language, religion, culture, or ethnicity. A state may encompass multiple nations, as seen in the Soviet Union, which included Russians, Ukrainians, and others, or the United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In India, the diverse population is united under the idea of ‘unity in diversity,’ contributing to its identity as a state.
(d) Territory
Territory refers to the geographic boundaries within which a state exercises its authority, known as jurisdiction. It includes three aspects:
- The land within national boundaries.
- The territorial waters, extending 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) along the coastline.
- The airspace above the territory, though there is no fixed international limit on its height.
- For example, India’s territory includes its mainland, coastal waters, and airspace, over which it has legal control to govern and make decisions.
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