Sovereignty High School Questions
Help students understand nationalism, self-determination, and sovereignty through these essay and discussion questions.
Introduction
- 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?
- Is nationalism a force for good in the world?
- Is self-determination an outdated concept in a world that no longer has empires and colonies?
- In what way is sovereignty a kind of equality among countries?
- Why have so many nations seeking independence been unable to achieve their goals?
- What are common methods of trying to gain independence? What are the benefits/ drawbacks of these methods?
- Why have many European countries delegated (or pooled) their sovereignty in the European Union?
Challenges
- 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?
- Why was the responsibility to protect (R2P) doctrine adopted?
- Why do countries often intervene when another country’s sovereignty is violated?
- What are the shortcomings of the concept of sovereignty?
- Is nationalism a force for good in the world?
- Is self-determination an outdated concept in a world that no longer has empires and colonies?
- Does the responsibility to protect doctrine effectively balance sovereignty and human rights?