What will we be focusing on?
- The development of countries or states
- Citizenship and Globalization
- State Sovereignty
- International Political and Justice Systems
- International Organizations
- International Treaties and First Nations Treaties
- War and Dispute Resolution
- International Environmental Law
- The United Nations Organizational Structure
- The Globalist Movement
The Invention of States
Invention of Countries
- At some point in history, like most animals, humans carved out their own territory.
- Most countries formed during the Modern Era (1450-) Why?
- Group Mentality (Tribal and group protection) From whom?
- Originally it was animals, but in modern history, we create our own territory to protect ourselves from other groups of humans.
- Small Group/Band -> Region of People -> Country with Borders
Toponymy
Toponymy is the study of place-names.
- All country names come from four sources
- A directional description of the country
- A feature of the land
- A tribe name
- An important person
- Currently, there are 195 countries in the world, 193 countries, and 2 “Observer States”
- Vatican City and Palestine are considered observer states (holy or religious states)
- Observer State Defined - A privilege granted by organizations to non-members to give the ability to participate.
Globalization
Defined: The growing interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations, brought about by:
- Cross-border trade in goods and services
- Technology
- Flows of investment, people, and information. Globalization can be thought of as a metaphoric shrinking of the Earth.
Citizenship
There are two types of citizenship:
Active Citizenship
An individual who participates and contributes to their community or society by voting, volunteering, and doing acts of service.
Global Citizenship
Someone who identifies with being a member of a growing global community and whose actions support the development of its values and norms in society. A Global Citizen is someone who is aware and comprehends the world and their place in it.
International Law and the State
- International Law is a set of rules and customs that governs the relationship between countries (formally known as States).
- Throughout International Law, States and organizations create treaties using customs.
- State is a term used in international law to describe a country or nation considered to be an organized political community under one government.
- Within a State, a government creates rules, laws, and procedures from these treaties, within their own domestic laws.
At what point is a Country a State?
- Under International Law, a country or nation is considered a “recognized” state when it meets the following criteria:
- A permanent population
- Control over a defined territory
- A government
- The ability to enter into relations with other states
- Under International Law, States have certain global rights and responsibilities based on law and custom.
When is International Law Needed?
- Governs the way countries interact with one another. (International Rules of Warfare)
- Sets out how and when other international organizations need to intervene. (UN Security Council)
- When governments interact with their citizens or other people within the state in violation of international agreements or declarations. (Nazi Germany)
- In proceedings that include citizens from other states. (Britney Griner - Drug Arrest)
- Development of International Legal Bodies (Commonwealth)
Basic Rights of States
State Sovereignty
- Exclusive power of jurisdiction over its territory and population.
- Cannot be interfered with unless certain requirements are met.
- Lawful control of a state over it’s territory and the exclusion of others from their territory.
What affects a State’s Sovereignty?
War
An open conflict of arms between hostile nations
Colonization
Overtaking or absorbing new lands for resources as a new colony
Globalization
Movement towards free trade markets for international goods
Technology
Increases communication, travel, business, and immigration
New Government Ideology
The domestic and international goals of a newly established political group
Religion
The cultural and spiritual beliefs that direct and impact the citizen’s decision making
Formal Equality
- Formal Equality is the idea that even though countries differ in military strength, economic position, or political structure, all possess access to these rights, responsibilities, and customs.
Non-Intervention on Domestic Issues
- Cannot interfere with the legal or political decisions made by another state.
- Requires an obligation in each state to act in Good Faith and respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.