Question 1

A state who has failed to govern its people but is recognized through international relations such as foreign aid is said to hold:

Accepted Answer

De jure sovereignty refers to the legal recognition and authority of a state to govern its people, even if it fails to effectively do so in practice. This recognition often comes through international relations, such as foreign aid, and indicates that the state is acknowledged by other states and international bodies as having the legal right to govern.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a required, defining characteristic of a state?

Accepted Answer

While democracy may be a common characteristic found in many states, it is not a required, defining characteristic. There are many ways in which a government can be organized, such as a monarchy or a dictatorship, and still be considered a state as long as it has a permanent population, defined territory, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Question 3

Which of the following is the primary actor behind FDI?

Accepted Answer

Multinational corporations are the primary actor behind FDI due to their desire to expand their operations and access new markets in other countries. Governments, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations may play a role in facilitating or regulating FDI, but they are not the primary actors driving it.

Question 4

Remittances refer to:

Accepted Answer

Remittances are the transfer of money by foreign workers to their home country, typically to support their families or communities. They are a significant source of income for many developing countries and are often used for basic necessities such as food, housing, and education.

Question 5

Which of the following is the largest source of dirty money flows?

Accepted Answer

According to various reports and studies, trade misinvoicing by large corporations is the largest source of dirty money flows, estimated to be over $2 trillion annually. Profits from drug trafficking and money laundering by corrupt politicians also contribute significantly to the problem, but their estimated amounts are lower compared to trade misinvoicing. Remittances, on the other hand, are mostly legitimate transfers of funds and do not contribute significantly to dirty money flows.

Question 6

How did the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affect state sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights established norms for human rights without removing state sovereignty. The declaration reflects a broad international consensus on the importance of human rights, but it is not binding international law. Instead, it serves as a guide for states to follow in their own laws and policies. The declaration is often used to hold states accountable for human rights violations, but it does not provide enforcement tools that override sovereignty.

Question 7

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written with the help of many Western nations, including the United States. Does US law protect every human right?

Accepted Answer

US law only covers "negative rights," which are rights that protect citizens from government interference or actions, such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press. It does not provide for positive rights, such as the right to healthcare or education, which are provided for in other countries. Additionally, the US criminal justice system can sometimes infringe upon an individual's human rights, such as through excessive use of force or denial of due process.

Question 8

Which of the following can act as a norm entrepreneur?

Accepted Answer

All of the above can act as norm entrepreneurs. Individuals, NGOs, and international organizations can all work to promote new norms and values in society. They can do this through advocacy, education, and other forms of activism. For example, an individual may promote a new norm by speaking out against discrimination, while an NGO may work to promote environmental sustainability. International organizations, such as the United Nations, can also play a role in establishing and promoting new norms on a global scale.

Question 9

How is a "minority group" defined?

Accepted Answer

A minority group is defined as a social group that is systematically disadvantaged and oppressed within a society, often based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. They are often marginalized and face discrimination and barriers to equal access and opportunities. The term "minority" does not refer to the numerical size of the group, but rather their social and political position in society.

Question 10

Minorities are the most at risk for human rights violations because:

Accepted Answer

Minorities often lack political power due to their smaller numbers and historical marginalization, making it more difficult for them to advocate for their rights and influence policy decisions. This leaves them more vulnerable to discrimination and abuse by those in power. While economic resources and knowledge can also be barriers to human rights protection, lack of political power is the most significant factor. The option B is incorrect because there is no evidence or proof to show that minority groups lack the will to protect their rights. Option C is incorrect because knowledge is not the most significant factor in human rights violation. Option D is incorrect because it is not always the case that minorities lack economic resources; furthermore, poverty can affect any group, not just minorities.

Question 11

What is one reason the Security Council fails to intervene in times of human rights abuse?

Accepted Answer

The Security Council is composed of five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members, and any action taken by the Council requires the agreement of at least nine members. However, the differing interests among the permanent members often lead to divisions and prevent the Council from taking decisive action to intervene in situations of human rights abuse.

Question 12

While the ____ conducts trials between countries, the ________ conducts trials against individuals

Accepted Answer

While the International Court of Justice conducts trials between countries, the International Criminal Court conducts trials against individuals.

Question 13

Which international body has the legal authority to intervene in a humanitarian crisis?

Accepted Answer

The Security Council has the legal authority to intervene in a humanitarian crisis under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. It can authorize the use of force or other measures to address the crisis. The General Assembly, International Criminal Court, and International Court of Justice do not have the same level of legal authority to intervene in a humanitarian crisis.

Question 14

Which of the following is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change?

Accepted Answer

Minorities in developing countries are often living in poverty and rely on agriculture or fishing for their livelihoods, making them more vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as droughts, floods, and sea level rise. They may also lack access to resources and infrastructure to adapt to these changes. Majorities in developed countries often have more resources and infrastructure to adapt to climate change impacts.

Question 15

What is the original source of power in a country governed by 'popular sovereignty'?

Accepted Answer

Popular sovereignty is a concept that gives the ultimate source of power to the people. Therefore, in a country governed by popular sovereignty, the original source of power lies with the people.

Question 16

Given what you know about the type of governments in place right now, which of the following countries possesses 'popular sovereignty'?

Accepted Answer

Popular sovereignty means that the power rests in the hands of the people. France has a democratic government where the people elect their representatives and have the power to make decisions through their elected officials. North Korea and Russia are both authoritarian regimes where the power rests in the hands of one person or a small group of individuals. Iraq is a parliamentary representative democratic republic, but it has struggled to establish fair and free elections and has faced government corruption and instability.

Question 17

What is the primary position taken by cultural relativists?

Accepted Answer

Cultural relativists argue that moral codes and social norms vary from culture to culture, and thus, what is considered right or wrong must be understood within the specific context of each culture. They emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting these differences rather than judging them by the standards of another culture.

Question 18

The responsibility to protect (R2P) provides a conditional approach to:

Accepted Answer

The responsibility to protect (R2P) emphasizes that states have a responsibility to protect their citizens from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, but if they fail to do so, the international community has a responsibility to intervene. This concept challenges the traditional notion of sovereignty, which holds that states have exclusive control over their own internal affairs. Therefore, R2P is primarily focused on the responsibility of states to protect their own citizens and less about democracy, security or terrorism.

Question 19

Which of the following is one way that the "old" and "new" styles of terrorism are similar?

Accepted Answer

Both the "old" and "new" styles of terrorism are a shared security concern for nations around the world. While they may differ in tactics and motivations, they both pose a threat to public safety and national security. Option A is not entirely correct as the "old" style of terrorism sought to gain political concessions through acts of violence, whereas the "new" style seeks to inflict damage on civilians as a form of retaliation for perceived injustices. Option C and D are incorrect as economic motivations and state sponsorship have been present in both styles of terrorism at different times and in different forms.

Question 20

The number of fatalities from terrorist attacks in the last fifteen years has___.

Accepted Answer

The number of fatalities from terrorist attacks has increased in the last fifteen years.

Quiz 3: Politics in the Other World: The New Meaning of Sovereignty