The Contemporary World: Module 3 Govt's. and citizen in a globally interconnected world. Part 1

This module, broken into six parts due to its broad scope, will cover states, governments, and their interconnectedness in a globalized world, including the role of international organizations like the United Nations.

A state is defined as a community occupying a territory, free of external control, and possessing an organized government. It's distinct from a 'nation' (a cultural concept) and 'government' (an element of the state). Key elements of a state include people, territory, government, and sovereignty.

Various theories explain the origin of the state, including the Divine Right Theory (God-given rule), the Force Theory (emergence through invasion or coercion), the Paternalistic Theory (expansion from family to nation), and Social Contract Theories by Rousseau, Hobbes, and Locke, which emphasize agreements between the people and rulers, with differing views on human nature and the right to rebel.

States possess inherent rights, such as the right to existence, self-preservation, property/domain, jurisdiction, and litigation. They also have fundamental powers: police power (enacting and enforcing laws for public order), eminent domain (expropriation of private property for public use with just compensation), and taxation (collecting revenue for government operations).

Understanding the political culture of target countries is crucial for businesses. Governments can seize assets (expropriation or confiscation) or nationalize industries. International law provides rules for nation-states. Different legal systems exist, including common law, civil law, and Sharia law (Islamic law), each with distinct principles and applications. The issue of bribery and corruption is also discussed, highlighting global rankings including the Philippines'.