Question

A piece of coastal land, and the surrounding fishing areas, has been occupied by a fishing society for centuries.
This society does not have a government, or acknowledge that any larger government rules over them.
Do political scientists consider the society described here to be a country?
(1 point)
• yes, because it includes a defined piece of land
• no, because it does not have an
organized government
no, because it mostly includes sea space rather than land
yes, because the people have
• historical sovereignty over the
area

Answer 1

The correct answer would be: **no, because it does not have an organized government**.

Political scientists typically define a country (or state) as having a defined territory, a permanent population, a functioning government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. In your description, the absence of an organized government is the key factor that would prevent the society from being classified as a country, despite its occupation of land and historical claims to sovereignty.