Question

Give two of the four issues of contention central to the organization of the sovereign state system since 1500. For instance, what was the central issue of contention in Europe before the Peace of Westphalia, and what is the central issue facing state leaders now? How have the principles or institutions of the sovereign state system changed in response to the two issues you have identified?

Answer 1

- Lead to greater state power, absolute monarchies, had to finance wars

- Nationalism came with the french revolution

- Some States had their own armies, republics replaced monarchies.

- Growth of territorial integrity by raising the cost of conquering territory inhabited by those of other nations

- It Lead to the German and Italian reunification

- Issues of national self-determination in Austro-Hungarian empire

- Eventually contributed to conflicts that embued both World Wars

- Social evolution