Global Citizenship | Democracy, state and sovereignty

Hello, Future Global Citizens!

Welcome to one of the most fundamental chapters in Global Citizenship: Democracy, State, and Sovereignty. Don't worry if these terms sound complicated; they are simply the building blocks of how the world is governed.

In this chapter, we will break down what it means for a country to be democratic, how a state functions, and who ultimately holds the power (sovereignty). Understanding this is crucial because these political systems directly affect your rights, your responsibilities, and the global issues we discuss throughout this course.

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1. Understanding Democracy: Rule by the People

The word democracy comes from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (rule/power). So, democracy literally means 'rule by the people.'

A democratic government is one where citizens have the power to influence decisions, usually by voting for leaders or policies.

Key Concept: The Two Main Types of Democracy

The syllabus requires us to understand two main ways democracy is practised:

A. Representative Democracy (Democracy via Elections)

In most large, modern countries, it is impossible for every citizen to vote on every single law. Instead, citizens elect people (representatives) to make decisions on their behalf.

• How it works: You vote for a local MP or politician, and they go to the capital city (Parliament or Congress) to debate and pass laws.
• Analogy: Choosing a team captain. You trust the captain to make decisions during the game, even if you don't agree with every single call.

B. Direct Democracy (Democracy via Referendum)

In a direct democracy, citizens vote directly on specific laws or policy proposals, not just on the politicians who will make them.

• How it works: A government might hold a referendum, where the entire population votes ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on a major issue (like changing the constitution or leaving a trading bloc).
• Example: Switzerland uses direct democracy extensively, holding regular national votes on various issues.

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2. Strengths and Weaknesses of Democratic Systems

Both representative and direct democracy have benefits and drawbacks. Knowing these helps you analyse different political situations.

A. Representative Democracy

Strengths:

• Efficiency: It is much faster and more manageable than getting millions of people to agree on every detail.
• Expertise: Representatives are usually full-time politicians or experts who can spend time studying complex issues (e.g., economics or military strategy).
• Accountability (to an extent): If a representative does a bad job, citizens can vote them out in the next election.

Weaknesses:

• Distance from People: Representatives might stop listening to their local area and only focus on the interests of their political party or powerful donors.
• Slow Process: Debates between many representatives can still cause delays in decision-making.
• Potential for Corruption: Power concentrated in the hands of a few leaders can lead to self-interest or misuse of funds.

B. Direct Democracy (e.g., Referenda)

Strengths:

• High Legitimacy: Decisions made directly by the people are seen as highly legitimate and fair.
• Increased Engagement: Citizens feel more connected to politics if their vote directly shapes the law.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of Expertise: Complex issues (like banking regulations) might be difficult for the average citizen to fully understand, leading to poor decisions based on emotion or misinformation.
• "Tyranny of the Majority": The majority might vote for something that negatively impacts a small minority group, overriding their rights or needs.
• Cost and Time: Holding frequent nationwide referenda is very expensive and time-consuming.

Did you know? The UK's decision to leave the European Union (Brexit) was made via a referendum—a classic example of direct democracy used to decide a major national policy.

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3. The Nation State in Global Politics

When we talk about countries in Global Citizenship, we often use the term nation state. This is the central unit of global politics.

A. Defining the Nation State

A nation state is composed of two ideas:

1. The State: A political entity with a defined territory, a permanent population, an organised government, and the ability to enter relations with other states.
2. The Nation: A group of people who share a common culture, language, identity, or historical tradition.

A nation state exists when the political state aligns closely with the cultural nation (e.g., Japan is often cited as a nation state because the population is highly unified culturally).

B. Function of the Nation State

The function of the nation state in global politics is essential. It acts as the primary structure for world order. Its main roles include:

• Maintaining Order: Establishing laws, providing justice, and ensuring internal peace and security (e.g., police, military).
• Providing Services: Organising and delivering public goods like healthcare, education, and infrastructure (roads, energy).
• Representation: Negotiating treaties, trading, and engaging in diplomacy with other countries on the global stage.
• Protecting Citizens: Defending national borders and interests, and protecting the rights and freedoms of its people.

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4. Sovereignty and Its Challenges

A. What is Sovereignty?

Sovereignty is the principle of absolute, unlimited power and authority within a defined territory. If a state is sovereign, it means no external power has the right to interfere with its domestic affairs.

• Analogy: Imagine your bedroom. You are sovereign in your bedroom—you get the final say on where your things go and who is allowed in. The state has the final say within its borders.

When a state has sovereignty, it has internal control (control over its population and laws) and external recognition (other countries accept its independence).

B. The Challenges to the Sovereignty of Nation States

Although the nation state remains central, its power is constantly challenged. The syllabus focuses specifically on internal challenges:

Local/Regional Community Demands for Independence

The most direct challenge to a nation state's internal sovereignty comes from groups within its own borders who seek to break away and form their own separate state.

These demands arise because regional communities often feel they constitute their own "nation" with a distinct identity, language, or economic needs, and feel unrepresented by the central government.

How this challenges sovereignty:

1. Loss of Territory and Population: If a region successfully secedes, the original nation state loses physical territory and the people living there, directly shrinking its sovereign authority.
2. Economic Instability: Independence movements often disrupt the national economy, as resources (tax revenue, natural wealth) are tied up in the disputed area.
3. Erosion of Authority: If a central government cannot control its own regions, its claim to be the ultimate authority (sovereign) is weakened both domestically and internationally.

Example: The demands for independence by regions like Catalonia in Spain or Quebec in Canada challenge the sovereignty of those respective nation states. The central government must decide whether to grant autonomy, negotiate a referendum, or forcefully maintain control—all of which demonstrate a challenge to the established political order.

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Just remember that sovereignty means 'final say,' and independence movements are groups fighting to have their own 'final say' instead.

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Key Takeaway Summary

• Democracy is the rule of the people, practised either through Representative systems (voting for politicians) or Direct systems (voting on issues via referendum).
• The Nation State is the core political unit defined by territory, population, government, and sovereignty.
• Sovereignty is the ultimate legal power within a territory.
• A major challenge to sovereignty comes from within: local and regional communities demanding independence, which threatens the state’s control over its own borders and people.