When States Falter - Assignment Example

Social Studies: When States Falter

As an opening statement, I have addressed the introductory question with detailed information, which will assist you in analysing the topic of the state.

How would you define a state? Are nations and states different?

Definition of a state: is a political community living in a given location or territory with sovereignty. An example includes Afghanistan, Chile, China, etc. (Rajagopalan, 2001).

Definition of a nation: is a psychological and social community based on an identical feeling of common heritage and culture.

From the above definition, is it possible to extract the difference between a state and a nation?

States concentrate on sovereignty irrespective of culture and heritage, and it recognizes the political leaders as determinant of the well-being of the people within the state

On the other hand, the nation is governed by culture and heritage of the people living in that nation influencing the socialization and intermarriages within the nation.

What purposes do states serve in the world?

The purposes of state in the world is analysed by its contribution to the global economy, security and politics and any other issue, which influence the globalisation. A few of the purposes of the state include a contribution to economic development, distribution of the political power (Abdelal, 2005).

How different would your life be if you had been born in a different state?

Every answer provided it is addressing the factors that influence the existence of an individual in a state is correct. The correctness of the answers depends on argument and the relevance of the opinion. For instance, you can opt to support the state you are in by discussing its stable political pattern and high economic growth or opposing by discussing how political are affecting the economic development and other factors of development.

Does perfect state exist in the world?

Definition of the perfect state: is a state where all factors that hinder development has been harmonised hence no negative impact is associated with the state.

Is it possible for a state to harmonise all factors of which influence the smooth running of a state?

The reason to why there is no perfect state in the world could be a long explanation and the reason behind this is the different factors that need to be harmonised for a state to be termed as a perfect state. Factors that have been harmonised have been outdone by those that have not been accomplished therefore it be advisable to analyse all factors starting from economic growth, development regarding infrastructure, democracy political stability and any other factors.

What are the best and worst states you think of? How are you measuring?

Definition of a best state and examples: the best state is a state, which provides a conducive environment to perform a specific function. For instance, some of the best state to make a living and for retirement include Utah, Indiana, Florida, Colorado, Idaho and South Dakota.

Definition of worst state and example: the worst state states that make the life of the people living in such states pathetic.

For the measurement of whether a state is the best state or worst state, you focus on the economic growth rate of the state, inflation of the state, demography of the state. The best state is expected to have stable inflation, stabilised politics, and high economic growth among other factors of measure. The contrast is expected in worst states

Are democracies better states than non-democracies?

Definition of democracy: a government in which the intense power is channelled to the people and not the authorities or political leaders (Lipset and Lakin, 2004).

The question focuses on the advantages of a democratic state and disadvantages of the non-democratic state. You should concentrate much on how democracy influences the living standard of the people and how it control the in power and ensure no embezzlement of the fund. Some of the

What is the difference between a failed state and a fragile state?

Definition of failed state: a Political body that has depreciated to a level where the basic responsibility of a sovereign government on longer work in unison.

Definition of fragile state: is a low-income state characterised by falling state legitimacy affecting the citizens negatively to a situation where some are left with a range of shocks.

Is there a concrete difference between the failed and fragile state?

Depreciation in failed state is based on political aspect and is so severe to appoint that the sovereign government cannot counter the depreciation

On the other hand, the fragile state is affected by low income, which is affecting the citizens of the state to appoint of losing hope.

What do failed, and fragile state have in common?

The question requires you to focus on factors that lead to a depreciation of a state since they are the some factor, which contributes to low-income. Some of the common characteristics of failed and fragile state include civil war, foreign war, economic collapse natural disaster, regime type, colonialism, disease, and leadership. For instance, economic collapse translates to a lack of employment hence low income.

How much of state failure can be attributed to politics?

The question requires you to relate politics and factors that affect influence state failure. For example, in developing countries like Vietnam, Asia and India politics have lead to economic deterioration, poor leadership and civil war resulting to states failure. In addition, you can consider the economic status in Africa where the majority of the countries are developing (Rousseau et al., 2012).

How much of state failure can be attributed to factors beyond a state’s control?

The question is answered by analysing the human development index/gross domestic product, policy/ freedom house / social progress and failed states index / legatum prosperity index

Definition of gross domestic product: is the total value of the goods and services produced or provided in a state within a period of one year.

Definition of social progress index: social progress is the ability of society to provide the basic needs of its citizens. The index is used to rank the society or evaluate the society. For instance, it assisted the government of President Horacio Cartes to identify the progress of his society.

Definition of legatum prosperity index: it a method of measurement in which a broad set of metric covering areas like education, opportunity, social capital, health and personal freedom is incorporated in measuring the development of a state.

Who should be in charge of measuring a state’s success- its citizens or other states?

This question needs one to evaluate some factors before rushing to the answer. You should analyse the expected result when other states are involved and the result when the citizens are involved. The can be achieved comparing data from an article published by the citizens and article published by the external organization regarding any state success. For instance, an article published by the health department concerning chronic kidney disease in Indians has detailed information as opposed to information published by WHO.

If you were a leader of failed or fragile state, whom would you ask for help?

This is an open headed question which requires you to think critically analyse some solution implemented in the different state. It is obvious that a developing state will seek advice from developed state or their fellow developing state that had the same issue before. For example, when India faces a challenge, they seek advice from China.

Can there be a thing as a failed region in a successful state? How about a successful region in a failed state?

The question is answered by considering state and analysing its region. Yes, fits correctly in the question since in developed states and developing states there is a region, which is highly affected by diseases, and level of education is very low. For instance, in China, there are communities, which are poor and live under the standards. The case of a successful region in failed region also appears in developing countries more so in urban centres.

What happens to a state after it fails? What happens to the people?

Once a state fails all impact of failed state are experiencing. This includes economic collapse, civil war, and poor leadership among other many effects. The people will experience low-income, low living standard, high crime rate and unemployment (Ghani and Lockhart, 2008). For example in Vietnam after the Vietnam War, the state failed to lead the above negative impact to the state and the people. Any other negative effect associated with failed state is accepted provided it is well explained with relevant examples.

Has globalisation made states stronger or weaker?

Definition of globalisation: international integration emerging from the interchange of world ideas, views, product and other cultural aspects is termed as globalisation.

After you have understood globalisation, evaluation of its impact on the state follows. From the definition it is definite that globalisation strengthens a state since it encourages trade, broadens boundaries for employment, stabilises inflation among other positive effects of globalisation (Knobler, Mahmoud, and Lemon, 2006).

Do revolution and uprising save state, or further doom them?

Definition of revolution: is force oriented process aimed at overthrowing a government or social order focusing on incorporating a new system.

Definition of uprising: is an act of rebellion

From the definition, it's evident that both revolution and uprising lead to erosion of bad leadership hence it saves a state.

Is a failed state a failed society?

To correctly answer this question you should discuss the relationship between the society and the state. Once the state fails, the society fails since the society depends on the state. The success of the state begins at the society level and diffuses to the whole state. For instance, when a developing state like Asia experiences inflation the people in the society are forced to work at low wages thus affecting their living standards.

Is the traditional concept of the state outdated in an age of globalisation and the internet?

This is an opinion question. Therefore, it will depend on the how you argue, but your argument should be limited to the traditional concept of globalisation and the internet.

Do you best to understand the current refugee crisis, also sometimes called the Syrian refugee crisis? Should all nations open their border to people in need- or are nations right to reject any, many, or all of them?

In this question, discuss the terrorist attacks on refugees. It recommended formulating a solution to the people allowed as refugees in a country. For instant scrutinisation of the refugees can help reduce the attacks and eliminate people with bad intentions.

Why do bad things happen to a good state? Definitions and examples

Some of the bad things that happen to a good state are explained below

Civil war is a war that occurs between citizens of the same state. For instance, the United States experienced a civil war between North and southern state from 1861 to 1865

Foreign war is the involves different citizen an example is the world War I and World War II

Economic collapse is the deterioration of states economy, for instance, the case of Vietnam after the Vietnam War (Diamond, 2005).

A natural disaster as a natural occurrence like an earthquake that causes great destruction. An example includes tsunamis experienced in the oceans.

Climate change is the change in regional or global climate trends: example includes global warming and melting of snow in Arctic and Antarctic.

Regime type: are set of condition mostly likely of political nature

Leadership: the ability of an individual or a group to lead. The Asian leadership has contributed a lot to its failure

Colonialism is the practice of controlling another state fully or partially. An example Vietnam and France

The disease is a condition, which alters the normal functioning of the bios. An example is disease outbreak in Asia and other developing countries. Ebola in Nigeria is another case.

Geography involves the relationship between the environment and the people. Earthquakes in China have led to the loss of millions of people.

The Soviet Union

It is abbreviated as USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). A brief history of the USSR is necessary with its impact on the involved parties. Its mission should be outlined and it's objectives. To avoid plagiarism copy and paste should be discouraged.

Potential prevention and restorative measures

In prevention of the above-explained factor, you should discuss measures to control each factor since each factor is independent. The point will be evaluated based on clarity and relevance of the argument.

Total fail? Tool for Measurement

Definition of gross domestic product: is the total value of the goods and services produced or provided in a state within a period of one year.

Definition of social progress index: social progress is the ability of society to provide the basic needs of its citizens. The index is used to rank the society or evaluate the society. For instance, it assisted the government of President Horacio Cartes to identify the progress of his society.

Definition of legatum prosperity index: it a method of measurement in which a broad set of metric covering areas like education, opportunity, social capital, health and personal freedom is incorporated in measuring the development of a state.

Additional terms to learn

A weak state is a state, which its government cannot deliver to its citizens. For instance in third world countries, most states are failed states

Civil society is a part of nongovernmental organisation and institution that focuses on the interest of the public. For instance WHO and World Bank.

Development agencies are a UK agency, which focuses on the development of the primary economy determinants.

Democratisation is a transition to high degree of democracy, for instance, the United Kingdom is ensuring the state are not oppressing the people