Political Patterns and Processes

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What is a state?

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An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government that has control over its internal and foreign affairs.

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What is a microstate?

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A state with a very small land area, such as the Vatican (0.17 square miles).

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What is the status of Korea as a state?

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Divided after WWII into North (pro-Communist) and South (pro-U.S.), with conflict ending in a stalemate.

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What is the Sahrawi Republic/Western Sahara issue?

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Former colony of Spain claimed by Morocco; Polisario Front declared it an independent republic recognized by many African countries.

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What is the China & Taiwan issue?

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Debate over whether they constitute one state or two.

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What are the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands?

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Territories with conflicting claims.

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What is a nation?

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A large group of people united by common cultural characteristics such as language, ethnicity, or shared heritage.

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What is a nation-state?

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A state whose territory corresponds to that occupied by a particular nation.

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What is self-determination?

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The concept that nations govern themselves without interference.

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What are nation-states in Europe?

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States reorganized based on ethnic diversity and national identity.