Sovereignty paper

Sovereignty paper

Short Answer Section 1

Question 1

Sovereignty refers to the absolute rights which states have over their decisions to act, determine as well as follow their individual self-interest in relation to matters regarding domestic conduct. The current world is globalized hence an enormous increase in the movement of capital, people, and technology, without forgetting massive international trade growth. With the increase in global trade, sovereignty is evident through the overlapping national claims, as well as the surge in nationalism. Furthermore, sovereignty has created room for political and social fabric, including taxation, different culture, human rights, and even education.

Question 2

WWI involved 32 countries, and it reshaped many borders as well as redrew the world map. WWI led to the collapse of several empires such as the Russian, Ottoman and German Empires. Typically, the First World War created new changes in the map of Africa with Europe colonizing states. The war also redrew the political map, which ended with different state borders both in Europe and Africa as Germany seized Lorraine and Alsace provinces from France. Consequently, WWII was the onset of a new epoch. German nationalism and territorial ambitions were a critical factor that led to territorial expansion. The Treaty of Versailles led to Germany, giving up territory to Poland, Belgium, and Czechoslovakia.

Question 3

Realism stresses the role of military power, the state, and national interest. Some of the theories derived from realism include neorealism, the balance of power, and hegemonic stability. Balance of power relates to the most accurate explanation for a set of policy prescriptions and state behavior, while neorealism highlights abiding interaction patterns in an international structure without a centralized political authority. Hegemonic stability focuses on avoidance of war as the best solution. Typically, realism implies that military strength in the underlying factor for the balance of power. Therefore, nations dedicate themselves to strongly opposing their enemies.

Question 4

Liberalism concerns protecting as well as enhancing individual freedom to a central political problem. Liberalism typically assumes that human rights and democracy are significant, and it is possible for states, nations, and people to cooperate. Furthermore, progress is a possibility under liberalism as political thought. Liberalism focuses on what needs to be done as well as how to achieve the same hence implies that nations, states, and people can pursue mutual self-interest, and international institutions can be helpful. Moreover, secrecy is unfavorable for peace. Some of the sub-theories of liberalism include radical liberalism, which points to democratic deficit existing in international institutions and cosmopolitan democracy, which focuses on the accountability of global markets, IGOs, and MNCs to people. The latter sub-theory requires global or elected regional governance.

Essay Topics Section

Marxism is an alternative paradigm that highlights a utopian state which is populist, cashless, secular, and leaderless. Although there are numerous ideas built on it, Marxism believes in the change created by industrial workers through a revolution where the working class will rule by collecting resources for community goals. Furthermore, there is a need for a combined analysis of economic, social, and political factors. The ruling class controls the political superstructure.

On the other hand, liberalism focuses on the idea of giving liberty and maximum freedom to people as it would aid to eradicate authoritarian political regimes, mitigate civil unrest and civil wars, achieve higher democratic levels, and in the end, result in prosperity and global peace. Liberalism aims at achieving international integration, democracy, free trade, and peace. Liberalism also calls for giving citizens the opportunity to right self-determination as well as a commitment to tolerance.

Typically, Marxism highlights the idea of class and ruling class, while liberalism seeks to give people freedom and opportunity. In sum, liberalism mirrors how society ought to be run while Marxism explains the type of society which should exist. Both theories elate in that they agree on the existence of class-violence but could result in a better world. Liberalism has taken root in North Korean in the current era, where civic participation has become a current trend. Furthermore, North Korea has embraced the idea of peace being deterred by secrecy. With the introduction of a democratic state, North Korea comes out to be liberal. On the other hand, North Korea takes on a different approach from Marxism with regard to self-reliance and ideological leadership.