UNIT 2.: STATES OF THE WORLD

PILAR SÁNCHEZ SEK LES ALPES

A STATE: DEFINITION AND COMPONENTS

A state is a political unit with supreme authority over a territory and its inhabitans.

FEATURES OF A STATE:

1. BOUNDARIES: A state is made up of a territory with defined BOUNDARIES or borders which separate the state from other states. Usually, foreigners cannot cross the border without autorization; however, there are some exceptions. Do you know an example of it? Hovever, a state´s territory may change throughout its history in order to political conflicts, civil wars or other issues. That´s an example: Czechoslovakia was a state that, now, is divided in tow diferent states with two diferentes capitals, also: Czec Republic (Prague) and Slovak Republic (Bratislava).

Another example of changes in boundaries is Germany. As a consequence of the defeat of

Nazi Germany in World War II, and after Postdam Conference, Germany was split between

two diferent states:

The Federal Republic of Germany (west Germany) belongs to USA, one of the winners in

Second World War. This one was a parliamentary democracy with a capitalist economic

system.

Democratic Republic (east Germany) belongs to Soviet Union: another winner in Second

World War. This other new state was a dictatorship with its leadership dominated by the

Soviet and an comunist economic.

In order to their diferent economic and politic systems

and, also, in order to emigration movements from east

to west, they decided built the BERLIN WALL to

separate them. This wall was demolished in 1990.

So close in time to you!

2. POPULATION: all the states have a permanent population or group of citizens who

inhabit the territory of the state. But, sometimes, population of the state are not

homogeneous and have different religions, languages or customs. For example, in

our state, Spain, there are different languages such as Catalán or Gallego.

2. SYMBOLS: A state has identifying symbols, such as a flag, a capital, an anthem and

currency.

POWERS AND FUNTIONS OF STATES:

- STATES GUARANTEE CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS TO THEIR CITIZENS, such as freedom of

speech or association (not in all states, just in a democratic states when citizens have the

same legal rights). But citizens also have legal duties, such as paying taxes, voting or

educating children aged from 5 to 16.

- DEFEND THE TERRITORY AND THE POPULATION because they have armed forces to defend

the state from invasion and, also, police to maintain public order.

- APPROVE LAWS to regulate how the states functions and to resolve conflicts among the

people.

- ESTABLISH INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: thanks to diplomatic corps

- REGULATE THE ECONOMY:

- PROVIDES DE BASIC SERVICES SUCH AS EDUCATION AND HEALTH: above all in the welfare

State.

In a welfare or social state the state intervenes in the economy to provide

all citizens with an acceptable standard of living and to avoid social

inequalities. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity,

equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those unable

to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life.

These states collected money from taxes. This money make up STATE TAX

REVENUE which is used to:

1. Mayor public