Essay and Discussion Questions from Sovereignty

Sovereignty High School Questions

Help students understand nationalism, self-determination, and sovereignty through these essay and discussion questions.

Introduction

  1. If a country has a disagreement with another country, what kinds of responses respect the principle of sovereignty? What kinds of responses challenge or violate sovereignty? 
  2. Is nationalism a force for good in the world? 
  3. Is self-determination an outdated concept in a world that no longer has empires and colonies? 
  4. In what way is sovereignty a kind of equality among countries?
  5. Why have so many nations seeking independence been unable to achieve their goals?
  6. What are common methods of trying to gain independence? What are the benefits/ drawbacks of these methods?
  7. Why have many European countries delegated (or pooled) their sovereignty in the European Union?

Challenges

  1. If a country is unhappy with another country, what kinds of responses respect the principle of sovereignty? What kinds of responses challenge or violate sovereignty? 
  2. Why was the responsibility to protect (R2P) doctrine adopted? 
  3. Why do countries often intervene when another country’s sovereignty is violated? 
  4. What are the shortcomings of the concept of sovereignty? 
  5. Is nationalism a force for good in the world? 
  6. Is self-determination an outdated concept in a world that no longer has empires and colonies? 
  7. Does the responsibility to protect doctrine effectively balance sovereignty and human rights?