IBPoliticsDPGlobal PoliticsSLRevision Notes1. Understanding Power & Global Politics1.1 Framing Global PoliticsStates & Governments

States & Governments (DP IB Global Politics): Revision Note

Jane Hirons

Written by: Jane Hirons

Reviewed by: Lisa Eades

Updated on

DP Global Politics: SLDP Global Politics: HL

Characteristics of a state

  • States are arguably the most important actors in global politics

  • They have a range of special characteristics:

    • Clearly defined borders which are recognised by other states and actors

    • Control over the people and territory inside those borders and who enters or leaves them

    • A permanent population

    • A government, justice system and control over the currency and economy

World map in grey showing continents with country borders outlined, set against a white background.

  • The United Nations currently recognizes 206 states

Characteristics of national governments

  • National governments are the central or main leadership group within the state

  • These governments can have distinct characteristics due to their ideology or method of rule

Types of national governments

Type

Explanation

How common?

Communism

  • Concerned about the impact of economic inequality 

  • No private ownership 

  • Attempted but never actually achieved

Socialism

  • Advocates for a fairer distribution of resources and wealth

  • Generally supports higher taxes on those who can pay to support healthcare, education and social services for all

  • Within democracies, socialist political parties are not unusual but they normally do not control the central government

Centre Left

  • Lean more toward socialist ideas but accommodate the belief of the majority and new ideas

  • The state should take care of the needs of the people

  • Very common in democratic states 

Centre Right

  • Also accommodate the majority but lean more towards conservative values and traditions

  • The state should not take too much care of the needs of the people; they need to take care of themselves

  • Very common in democratic states

Nationalist 

  • The needs of the state come first, not the people

  • Personal freedoms and liberty should be sacrificed for the state

  • A superior sense of national identity 

  • Becoming more common in global politics

Fascist 

  • Uses aggression, threats and conflict to exert power within and beyond the state

  • Marginalised and vulnerable people are often the targets of violence

  • Usually a one-party system with one central leader ending in conflict

  • There are fears that some states are moving toward this system, therefore increasing the likelihood of conflict

Characteristics of sub-national governments

  • National governments play the biggest role in global politics

  • However, states could not function without sub-national governments overseeing the day-to-day operations of the state

Sub-national governments at different levels

  • The state may be divided into geographic regions, each with its own sub-national government, as seen in India

Map of India showing states and union territories with capitals. New Delhi is marked as the national capital. Different colours distinguish regions.
India's states and union territories

  • Even within these regions there can be further layers of government administration, as seen in this map of Rajasthan, India

Map of Rajasthan, India, showing districts in various colours. Major districts include Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Bikaner, labelled with names.
Rajasthan's state districts

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Author
Reviewer
Jane Hirons

Author: Jane Hirons

Expertise: Content Writer

Jane has been actively involved in all levels of educational endeavors including designing curriculum, teaching and assessment. She has extensive experience as an international classroom teacher and understands the challenges students face when it comes to revision.

Lisa Eades

Reviewer: Lisa Eades

Expertise: Business Content Creator

Lisa has taught A Level, GCSE, BTEC and IBDP Business for over 20 years and is a senior Examiner for Edexcel. Lisa has been a successful Head of Department in Kent and has offered private Business tuition to students across the UK. Lisa loves to create imaginative and accessible resources which engage learners and build their passion for the subject.