UNIT 2. STATES OF THE WORLD

1.              What is a state?

2.              What are the elements of a state?

3.              A synonym for border. Think about it.

4.              Explain the function of boundaries.

5.              Why are there disputes between states over territorial boundaries today?

6.              What is the population of a state?

7.              What’s a nation?

8.              Is country or state synonymous to nation? Why? Reflect on it.

9.              What rights do the democratic states guarantee to their citizens?

10.           Why does equality exist in democratic states?

11.           A state is sovereign when it creates laws and enforces them. Explain the process.

12.           What institutions enforce the state’s laws?

13.           Why do states use the violence against its citizens?

14.           Teacher must explain the “monopoly of violence”.

15.           Look at the large map. Which is the largest state in the world?

16.           Look at the large map. How many land-locked countries are there in Europe? What are their names?

17.           Look at the large map. Why do you think being ‘land-locked’ is a problem for some countries?

18.           Look at the large map. What is the common characteristic between Malaysia and the USA?

19.           What are the functions of the state?

20.           How do the states establish international relationships?

21.           Why do the laws exist?

22.           What are the basic services of a state?

23.           How does the welfare state work?

24.           How is the money from taxis used?

25.           Where do the social states exist?

26.           Why cannot many countries provide basic services to the majority of its population?

27.           What does Social spending include?

28.           What two types of expenditures cause the state budget deficit?

29.           What does democracy mean?

30.           We live in a country with millions of citizens. Can every citizen participate directly in government decisions? What is the solution for democracy to work?

31.           What are the characteristics of democratic elections?

32.           Why are democratic elections participative?

33.           Why are democratic elections periodic?

34.           How must parties’ behavior be after democratic elections?

35.           Why is the separation of powers necessary?

36.           What is a constitution? How does it work?

37.           What institution defends a person’s rights against the government?

38.           How does a dictatorship work?

39.           Name the characteristics of dictatorships.

40.           How does a flawed democracy work?

41.           How does a monarchy work?

42.           Are all republics democracies?

43.           How does a theocracy work?

44.           Name five free Asian countries in 2010.

45.           Name the European partially free countries in 2010.

46.           Name six free African countries in 2010.

47.           What American country is not free?

48.           Why do the states sign treaties, pacts and agreements?

49.           What types of conflicts exist between states?

50.           How can they be resolved?

51.           What was the main objective of the UN in its birth?

52.           What are the three UN’s problems to reach its objectives?

53.           What are the UN principal objectives?

54.           What is the function of UN resolutions?

55.           What could happen if a country ignores a UN resolution?

56.           Explain the Security Council of UN.

57.           Explain the specialized agencies and programmes implemented by the UN.

58.           Who forms the UN General Assembly?

59.           What are the three administrative levels? Why do they exist?

60.           What is the main competence of the state for you? Why?

61.           Who elects the city council members in Spain? Think about it.

62.           Look at the map page 22. Write the five countries with the greatest military spending.