State Power & Contemporary Global Issues (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Changing states, conflict and poverty

• Conflict and poverty are interconnected global political challenges that threaten state sovereignty and security

  • Conflict can lead to poverty

  • Interstate or intrastate conflict can cause many negative situations that result in poverty, including

    • the destruction of infrastructure, supplies and business

    • the disruption of daily life and access to education or work 

    • shortages of daily necessities such as food, water or medicine 

  • Poverty can fuel conflict

    • Frustration can build in communities where daily life is a struggle due to poverty and often this results in violence 

    • With time, conflict and poverty can become part of a vicious cycle of violence and deprivation.

Changing relationships between states in addressing conflict and poverty 

• Historically, the state was responsible for the poverty of its citizens

  • Over time the global community came together to see these problems as interconnected global political challenges

• The UN and other IGOs and NGOs have made development (economic and other forms)  and the eradication of poverty a priority for two main reasons:

  1. To promote the importance that all people should live in dignity 

  2. To prevent conflict  

Changing states and human rights

• The idea that all human beings deserve to live a life of dignity is not a new one

  • Widely accepted definitions of state sovereignty meant historically states could decide the rights awarded to their citizens 

• In the 20th century with the formation of IGOs such as the United Nations and the establishment of NGOs such as Amnesty International, the ideal of universal rights challenged the idea that states should have the power to decide what rights are awarded to citizens

  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was introduced by the United Nations in 1948

    • It signified a shift in thinking, as every member state of the UN eventually recognised this document and promised to uphold it

  • Subsequent UN Human rights laws and treaties have been signed and ratified by most states, demonstrating a shift in global norms toward human rights 

• Although sovereignty continues to be an obstacle protecting and monitoring human rights continues to be a key issues amongst states in global politics

Changing states and the environment

• The 20th century saw a growing acceptance that state sovereignty and borders had little relevance in terms of global environmental damage

• A wider appreciation of the  tragedy of the commons has led to a cooperative approach by states toward finding solutions to multiple environmental concerns

International agreements and the environment 

• The interconnected and interdependent nature of conflict, poverty, human rights and the environment has made these issues of primary importance to the global community