Sovereignty is a fundamental concept in political science and international relations that refers to the ultimate and supreme authority of a state to govern itself without interference from external actors or organizations. It encompasses various aspects of a state’s autonomy and control over its own affairs. Here you will find top 20 questions about “sovereignty” in Political Science. These are the most important question that you find relevant in many competitive examinations. So let’s find out these important questions in MCQs format along with their explanation about sovereignty.
Important Questions about Sovereignty
These are most important questions with explanation about sovereignty in political science:
1. What is the concept of sovereignty in political science?
A) The power of a single individual in a country.
B) The authority of a state to govern itself independently.
C) The influence of international organizations on a nation.
D) The ability of a government to control its citizens.
Explanation:
B) The concept of sovereignty in political science refers to the authority of a state to govern itself independently, without interference from external actors or organizations.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of sovereignty?
A) Shared control with other nations.
B) Complete independence and autonomy.
C) Dependence on international aid.
D) Frequent changes in leadership.
Explanation:
B) Sovereignty is characterized by complete independence and autonomy, where a state has the ultimate authority within its own territory.
3. In the context of international law, what does the principle of sovereignty imply?
A) States have no authority over their internal affairs.
B) States can disregard international treaties.
C) States are equal and have control over their domestic and foreign affairs.
D) States can unilaterally invade other nations.
Explanation:
C) The principle of sovereignty in international law implies that states are equal and have control over their domestic and foreign affairs, respecting the territorial integrity of other states.
4. Which of the following types of sovereignty is associated with the European Union?
A) Absolute sovereignty.
B) Popular sovereignty.
C) Limited sovereignty.
D) National sovereignty.
Explanation:
C) The European Union is an example of limited sovereignty, where member states delegate some of their authority to a supranational organization while retaining their national sovereignty.
5. What is the concept of popular sovereignty?
A) The authority of a monarch to rule by divine right.
B) The power of the military in a state.
C) The idea that political authority comes from the people.
D) The dominance of a single political party.
Explanation:
C) Popular sovereignty is the concept that political authority originates from the people, and governments are established and maintained with the consent of the governed.
6. Which philosopher is known for his theory of the social contract, which is closely related to the idea of sovereignty?
A) Plato.
B) Machiavelli.
C) John Locke.
D) Karl Marx.
Explanation:
C) John Locke is known for his theory of the social contract, which is closely related to the idea of sovereignty. He argued that government’s legitimacy depends on the consent of the governed.
7. What is the term for the sharing of sovereignty among multiple states in a formal agreement?
A) Multilateralism.
B) Hegemony.
C) Isolationism.
D) Authoritarianism.
Explanation:
A) The term for the sharing of sovereignty among multiple states in a formal agreement is “multilateralism.”
8. Which of the following factors can challenge the concept of state sovereignty?
A) International law.
B) Economic self-sufficiency.
C) Domestic political stability.
D) Isolationist policies.
Explanation:
A) International law can challenge the concept of state sovereignty, as it sets rules and norms that govern the behavior of states in the international system.
9. What is the term for a situation where a state loses control over its territory and governance due to external intervention?
A) Decolonization.
B) Hegemony.
C) Sovereignty loss.
D) Failed state.
Explanation:
D) The term for a situation where a state loses control over its territory and governance due to external intervention is a “failed state.”
10. Which international organization is primarily focused on promoting economic cooperation and reducing restrictions on the sovereignty of its member states?
A) United Nations (UN).
B) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
C) World Trade Organization (WTO).
D) International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Explanation:
C) The World Trade Organization (WTO) is primarily focused on promoting economic cooperation and reducing restrictions on the sovereignty of its member states through trade agreements and negotiations.
Here are 10 more multiple-choice questions about “Sovereignty” in Political Science, with explanations for each option:
11. Which of the following best defines the concept of internal sovereignty?
A) The control of a state over its domestic affairs.
B) The influence of one state on another’s foreign policy.
C) The power of international organizations over a nation.
D) The right of self-determination for indigenous peoples.
Explanation:
A) Internal sovereignty refers to the control of a state over its domestic affairs, including its legal and political systems.
12. In the context of the European Union (EU), what term is used to describe the process of transferring sovereignty from member states to EU institutions?
A) Supranationalism.
B) Isolationism.
C) Nationalism.
D) Imperialism.
Explanation:
A) The process of transferring sovereignty from member states to EU institutions is often described as “supranationalism.”
13. Which historical event led to the development of the concept of state sovereignty as we understand it today?
A) The Peace of Westphalia (1648).
B) The French Revolution (1789).
C) The Treaty of Versailles (1919).
D) The Congress of Vienna (1815).
Explanation:
A) The concept of state sovereignty was significantly influenced by the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the Thirty Years’ War and established the modern system of nation-states.
14.What term is used to describe a situation where a state voluntarily pools its sovereignty with other states to achieve common goals?
A) Federalism.
B) Imperialism.
C) Neo-colonialism.
D) Autarky.
Explanation:
A) The situation where a state voluntarily pools its sovereignty with other states to achieve common goals is often referred to as “federalism.”
15. Which type of sovereignty involves a state’s control over its military, foreign policy, and currency?
A) Legal sovereignty.
B) De facto sovereignty.
C) Externally-imposed sovereignty.
D) Economic sovereignty.
Explanation:
B) De facto sovereignty involves a state’s control over its military, foreign policy, and currency, even if its sovereignty is not recognized by all external actors.
16. What is the term for the doctrine that justifies intervention in a state’s affairs to protect human rights, even against the state’s will?
A) Non-interference.
B) R2P (Responsibility to Protect).
C) Isolationism.
D) Autarky.
Explanation:
B) The doctrine that justifies intervention in a state’s affairs to protect human rights, even against the state’s will, is known as “R2P” or “Responsibility to Protect.”
17. Which philosopher is associated with the idea of “divine right of kings,” which opposed popular sovereignty?
A) Thomas Hobbes.
B) Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
C) John Stuart Mill.
D) Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet.
Explanation:
D) Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet is associated with the idea of the “divine right of kings,” which opposed popular sovereignty.
18. What term describes the situation when a state loses its sovereignty and becomes a colony or protectorate of another state?
A) Annexation.
B) Decolonization.
C) Hegemony.
D) Subjugation.
Explanation:
A) The term that describes the situation when a state loses its sovereignty and becomes a colony or protectorate of another state is “annexation.”
19. Which international organization is focused on addressing issues related to climate change and environmental sovereignty?
A) World Health Organization (WHO).
B) International Monetary Fund (IMF).
C) United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
D) Organization of American States (OAS).
Explanation:
C) The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) is primarily focused on addressing issues related to climate change and environmental sovereignty.
20. What is the term for the concept that states have the exclusive right to control the passage of people and goods across their borders?
A) Internationalism.
B) Borderland sovereignty.
C) Immigration sovereignty.
D) Territorial integrity.
Explanation:
D) The concept that states have the exclusive right to control the passage of people and goods across their borders is related to “territorial integrity.”
So these are the most important questions of “sovereignty” in Political Science. I hope this will help you a lot in understanding the concept.
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