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Political Organisation of States

An in‑depth lesson on the definition, territory, population, sovereignty, functions, and regimes of states, plus key facts about the EU, UN and NGOs.

23 cards~8 min
Political Organisation of States — Qwi
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All flashcards in this set

1What is a State in political science?
Answer

A political and administrative organisation that governs a territory independently.

It holds authority over its defined territory and can make binding decisions without external control.
2The territory of a State includes {{subsoil, airspace and sea}}.
Answer

subsoil, airspace and sea

3What defines the population element of a State?
Answer

People with nationality forming its citizenship.

They have political rights to participate in public affairs, elect the Government and hold public office.
4Sovereignty means a State can make binding decisions only within its territory.
Answer

True

Sovereignty is the exclusive authority a State has over its population and territory.
5How does a Government differ from a State?
Answer

State → political entity | Government → administers State’s powers

The State is a permanent political organization, while the Government is temporary and changes with political orientation.
6Which essential function of the State involves housing, food, education, and healthcare?
Answer

Meeting the basic needs of the population.

The State must ensure access to housing, food, education, healthcare, transport, and public works.
7The State {{regulates labour relations}} through laws and employment policies.
Answer

regulates labour relations

8One function of the State is to defend the territory against possible foreign attacks.
Answer

True

Maintaining public order includes defending the territory from external threats.
9What is the main difference between centralised and decentralised States?
Answer

Centralised → power only central | Decentralised → power shared with regions

10In democratic regimes, who exercises power?
Answer

A group of people elected by all citizens.

Citizens have the right to stand in elections and vote freely, ensuring representation.
11Non-democratic regimes have a constitution that guarantees rights.
Answer

False

Dictatorships lack a constitution, rights, separation of powers, elections, or political parties.
12Hybrid regimes are also called {{false democracies}}.
Answer

false democracies

13What is the form of government of Spain?
Answer

Parliamentary monarchy.

Spain is a parliamentary monarchy where the King is the highest authority but power belongs to the people through elected representatives.
14The King is the highest authority in Spain.
Answer

True

The King (Felipe VI) is the highest authority, though power is exercised by the people through representatives.
15How many countries are members of the European Union?
Answer

27

The EU comprises 27 European countries sharing a common economic and political project.
16The official currency of the EU is the {{euro (€)}}.
Answer

euro (€)

17The European Commission proposes laws and ensures they are followed.
Answer

True

It also manages the daily work of the EU.
18In which year was the United Nations founded?
Answer

1945

It was established after the Second World War to maintain peace and security.
19The UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security is the {{Security Council}}.
Answer

Security Council

20Permanent members of the UN Security Council have the right of veto.
Answer

True

The five permanent members (USA, Russia, China, UK, France) can block resolutions.
21When was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approved?
Answer

1948

It was adopted by the UN to affirm universal human rights.
22What is an NGO?
Answer

An international public organisation with humanitarian and social aims independent of governments.

Examples include the Red Cross, Save the Children, Médecins Sans Frontières, Greenpeace, and WWF.
23A well‑known humanitarian NGO is the {{Red Cross}}.
Answer

Red Cross

Understanding the Political Organisation of States

A State in political science is a political and administrative organisation that governs a territory independently. It holds authority over its defined territory and can make binding decisions without external control. This permanent entity differs from the temporary Government that administers the State’s powers.

Territory and Population

The territory of a State includes not only land but also subsoil, airspace and sea. These elements belong to the State and are subject to its jurisdiction.

The population element consists of people with nationality forming its citizenship. Citizens enjoy political rights that allow them to participate in public affairs, elect the Government and hold public office.

Sovereignty

Sovereignty means a State can make binding decisions only within its territory. It is the exclusive authority a State has over its population and territory.

Functions of the State

States perform several essential functions:

  • Provision of basic needs: ensuring access to housing, food, education, healthcare, transport and public works.
  • Regulation of labour relations: through laws and employment policies the State controls work conditions.
  • Defence and public order: defending the territory against possible foreign attacks and maintaining internal security.

Centralised vs Decentralised States

In a centralised State, power resides only in the central authority. In a decentralised State, power is shared with regional entities, allowing local governments to exercise certain competencies.

Regimes and Power Distribution

In democratic regimes, power is exercised by a group of people elected by all citizens. Citizens have the right to stand in elections and vote freely, ensuring representation.

Non‑democratic regimes lack a constitution that guarantees rights, separation of powers, elections or political parties; therefore the statement that they have such a constitution is false.

Hybrid regimes are often called "false democracies" because they appear democratic but do not fulfil the essential criteria of genuine democracy.

Forms of Government: The Example of Spain

Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The King is the highest authority, yet power is exercised by the people through elected representatives. This combines a hereditary monarch with a parliamentary system.

The European Union

The European Union comprises 27 member countries after the United Kingdom’s departure. Its official currency is the euro (€), used by most members.

The European Commission proposes laws and ensures they are followed, managing the daily work of the EU.

The United Nations

The United Nations was founded in 1945 to maintain peace and security after the Second World War.

The UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security is the Security Council. Its five permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France – have the right of veto, allowing them to block resolutions.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved in 1948, affirming universal human rights.

Non‑Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

An NGO is an international public organisation with humanitarian and social aims independent of governments. Well‑known examples include the Red Cross, Save the Children, Médecins Sans Frontières, Greenpeace and WWF.

Summary Table

Concept Key Point
State Permanent political entity governing a defined territory independently.
Government Temporary body that administers the State’s powers.
Territory Includes land, subsoil, airspace and sea.
Population Citizens with political rights.
Sovereignty Exclusive authority within the State’s territory.
Basic Needs Function Housing, food, education, healthcare, transport, public works.
Labour Regulation State controls work conditions through laws.
Defence Protects territory from external threats.
Centralised State Power concentrated in central authority.
Decentralised State Power shared with regional authorities.
Democratic Regime Power exercised by elected representatives.
Hybrid Regime Often termed "false democracy".
Spain Parliamentary monarchy.
EU Membership 27 countries.
EU Currency Euro (€).
UN Founded 1945.
UN Security Council Handles international peace; permanent members have veto.
UDHR Adoption 1948.
NGO Example Red Cross.

This lesson provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of how states are organised, their core functions, the distinction between different regimes, and key international institutions that shape global politics.