Ebojo 1

MODULE 3
NAME: MEYNARD B. EBOJO BS PSYCH 1-A
PROFESSOR: ANN MARGARIT P. BERSANO
SUBJECT: Political Governance with Philippine Constitution
DATE: October 15, 2020
SELF LEARNING ACTIVITY
Activity 1-1
To enrich your learning of this module, please do the task below:
A. For students with an internet connection
1. Download and read the article "Violation of State Sovereignty by Military and
Paramilitary Activities on Nicaragua vs. the United States Case" by Zainad et al.
(2018)https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328931041_Violation_on_State_Sov
ereignty_by_Military_and_Paramilitary_Activities_on_Nicaragua_vs_United_States
_Case.
2. Write an approximately 300 words reflection of the article and relate it with your
learning in this module. Submit this completed essay within 1-2 weeks.

SOVEREIGTY WE DESERVE TO ENJOY

Sovereignty. A concept that is of great importance in recognizing a state and in

international relations. We enjoy countless things in our country in view of the supremeness and
absoluteness of sovereignty. This includes our independence, peace, etc. In this ever-changing
world, something as important as sovereignty isn’t utterly permanent, it keeps on changing
depending on how people manage and perceive its value. For instance, back then, our forefathers
fought hard in various battles dwelling with ample sacrifices just to achieve the sovereignty that
we’re enjoying nowadays. 

Divulged in the passage is an example of how sovereignty can be vulnerably abused by

states regarded but not limited to the first world countries. The unjustifiable violations done by
the United States against Nicaragua can be considered alarming for it can bring lots of casualties
even to greater war. In this sense, the existence of the international laws play a significant part in
overseeing conflicts related to such incident. Thus I’ve realized, that perceiving these disputes is
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essential for us to know our responsibilities as a citizen of the state. This demands for us to
acknowledge the vulnerability we share and the collaboration we need in combating immense
adversities. 

In conclusion, I further comprehend that we must understand that the Philippines is a

democratic and republic state in which sovereignty resides in the people and all government
authority emanates from us. We must exercise our right to choose leaders who are critically
capable of making decisions to maintain our sovereignty. Let us stop looking at the surface level
of problems and start digging to gain new knowledge and indulge in different perspectives that
would be beneficial to ourselves and our country. Start striving to learn our fundamental rights
locally and internationally, for us to help preserve the sovereignty we deserve to enjoy.

 
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LOOKING BACK

Activity 1-2
Check your understanding of the module by answering the assessment below.
I. KNOWLEDGE. (2 points each)
In your own words, define the following terms:
1. State
- It is a legal concept, commonly referred to as a country or territory inhabited by
people, politically organized under a governing body, and exercising the same
sovereignty.
2. Nation
- It is an ethical concept concerning people of the same race, inhabiting particular
territory, and sharing various common things such as culture, history, language,
religion, and etc.
3. Government
- It is a necessary small group of people regarded as a body who leads in governing the
people by establishing various policies championing peace and order by exercising
sovereignty of the citizens in a particular place.
4. Police power
- It is the power inherent to the state to effectively and reasonably regulate the citizens
and its property stimulating public safety, public health, morals, public convenience
and general prosperity in accord to the welfare of the people.
5. Eminent domain
- It is considered as inherent power or right of the state’s government, within its
jurisdiction, to usurp and utilize private property for public convenience upon
payment of equitable compensation.

II. COMPREHENSION AND ANALYSIS. (5 points each)

1. Based on the concept of state and nation, is the Philippines a state or a nation? Or both?
- Based on the concept of state and nation, the Philippines is considered a state. It is a
state, because our country has all the necessary elements for it to be recognized as
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one, these are namely; territory, people, government and sovereignty. Furthermore,
we are neither considered as nation nor as nation-state due to the colonization of
various races giving us heterogeneous identity, such as the diverse languages in
different regions. We may have the same history, yet, we are made up of multiple,
sometimes competing cultures and ethnicity. These reasons are fairly contrary to the
definition of a nation itself, thus, it is considered as a state.

2. Do May a state exist without government? And conversely, may a government exist
without form?
-   No, because according to its definition, a state wouldn’t be considered as one with
the absence of even a single necessary element. It needs territory and the people that
will live in it, a government that will lead the people and sovereignty for them to
effectively carry out their responsibilities. While, on the contrary, yes, a government
can work even without the state. It can exist by only having a group of people that
will govern the great majority residing in a particular place. 

3. Can other countries enforce their sovereignty over the Philippine sovereignty?
- No, each state is considered as independent because of the presence of sovereignty
itself, which gives a certain country the power to govern their people without any
interference from other countries. Moreover, each state must adhere to the laws
prescribed by the international laws giving the sense of equality, enjoying the same
rights in each jurisdiction. In addition, any interference from other states may lead to
conflict or even war. Thus, enforcing other countries’ sovereignty to ours would be
considered a breach to the law, act of aggression, and violation to the sovereignty.