Statehood, Recognition & State Responsibility MCQ Quiz
Statehood, Recognition & State Responsibility MCQ Quiz (1–50)
(1). [AIBE 2021] The foundational criteria for statehood (population, territory, government, capacity to enter into relations) are codified in the:
[A]. Vienna Convention, 1969
[B]. Montevideo Convention, 1933
[C]. Geneva Conventions, 1949
[D]. UN Charter, 1945
Correct Answer: [B]. Montevideo Convention, 1933
(2). The “Constitutive Theory” of recognition posits that:
[A]. Statehood is a pure question of fact
[B]. A State is created solely by the act of recognition by other existing States
[C]. Recognition is purely declarative
[D]. The UN creates all States
Correct Answer: [B]. A State is created solely by the act of recognition by other existing States
(3). [CLAT-PG 2019] Who among the following is a chief proponent of the Declaratory (Evidentiary) Theory of Recognition?
[A]. Lassa Oppenheim
[B]. J.L. Brierly
[C]. Hans Kelsen
[D]. G.W.F. Hegel
Correct Answer: [B]. J.L. Brierly
(4). Recognition that is final, absolute, and irrevocable is known as:
[A]. De facto recognition
[B]. Ad hoc recognition
[C]. De jure recognition
[D]. Implied recognition
Correct Answer: [C]. De jure recognition
(5). [AIBE 2023] In Luther v. Sagor, the English court established that:
[A]. De facto recognition is legally meaningless
[B]. The sovereign acts of a de facto recognized government are treated with the same validity as those of a de jure recognized government
[C]. Recognition can be withdrawn arbitrarily
[D]. Timber cannot be confiscated
Correct Answer: [B]. The sovereign acts of a de facto recognized government are treated with the same validity as those of a de jure recognized government
(6). When a new State is formed by breaking away from an existing State, but the original State continues to exist, it is a case of:
[A]. Universal Succession
[B]. Partial Succession
[C]. State Responsibility
[D]. Condominium
Correct Answer: [B]. Partial Succession
(7). [CLAT-PG 2020] Under the “Clean Slate” doctrine codified in the 1978 Vienna Convention on Succession of States in respect of Treaties:
[A]. A newly independent state automatically inherits all political alliances
[B]. A newly independent state is not bound to maintain the political treaties of its colonizing predecessor
[C]. All debts are forgiven
[D]. All territory is returned to indigenous peoples
Correct Answer: [B]. A newly independent state is not bound to maintain the political treaties of its colonizing predecessor
(8). Which type of treaty generally survives State Succession and binds the new successor state automatically?
[A]. Extradition treaties
[B]. Military alliance treaties
[C]. Dispositive/Territorial treaties establishing international borders
[D]. Bilateral trade agreements
Correct Answer: [C]. Dispositive/Territorial treaties establishing international borders
(9). [AIBE 2018] The principle Uti possidetis juris means:
[A]. Right to go to war
[B]. Newly independent states inherit the internal administrative borders held prior to independence
[C]. The seas belong to no one
[D]. Absolute sovereign immunity
Correct Answer: [B]. Newly independent states inherit the internal administrative borders held prior to independence
(10). When a territory undergoes State Succession, the public property and archives located in that territory:
[A]. Are destroyed
[B]. Return to the UN
[C]. Pass automatically to the Successor State without compensation
[D]. Belong to the Predecessor permanently
Correct Answer: [C]. Pass automatically to the Successor State without compensation
(11). [CLAT-PG 2022] “Localized debts” (e.g., money borrowed specifically to build a railway network in the ceded territory):
[A]. Are generally inherited by the Successor State
[B]. Are written off by the World Bank
[C]. Remain the sole responsibility of the Predecessor State
[D]. Are paid by the UN
Correct Answer: [A]. Are generally inherited by the Successor State
(12). In the West Rand Central Gold Mining Co. v. The King, it was held that a conquering state:
[A]. Inherits all debts of the conquered state automatically
[B]. Does not automatically inherit the unliquidated contractual liabilities of the conquered state unless it expressly agrees to
[C]. Must execute all citizens
[D]. Can be sued in civil courts
Correct Answer: [B]. Does not automatically inherit the unliquidated contractual liabilities of the conquered state unless it expressly agrees to
(13). [AIBE 2019] Under the ILC Draft Articles on State Responsibility (2001), an internationally wrongful act consists of two elements:
[A]. Intention and Actus Reus
[B]. Malice and Negligence
[C]. Breach of an international obligation and Imputability (Attribution)
[D]. War and Peace
Correct Answer: [C]. Breach of an international obligation and Imputability (Attribution)
(14). If a municipal police officer tortures a foreign national, is the act imputable to the State under International Law?
[A]. Yes, the acts of all State organs are attributable to the State.
[B]. No, because it is an individual crime.
[C]. Only if the Prime Minister ordered it.
[D]. Only if the foreign national is an ambassador.
Correct Answer: [A]. Yes, the acts of all State organs are attributable to the State.
(15). [CLAT-PG 2021] What if a State organ (e.g., the military) acts ultra vires (exceeds its authority or disobeys orders) and commits a wrongful act?
[A]. The State is completely absolved of responsibility.
[B]. The conduct is still attributable to the State, provided the organ acted in its official capacity.
[C]. The UN pays compensation.
[D]. It is considered an act of God.
Correct Answer: [B]. The conduct is still attributable to the State, provided the organ acted in its official capacity.
(16). Are the acts of private individuals (e.g., a mob burning down an embassy) generally imputable to the State?
[A]. Yes, always.
[B]. No, unless the State directed/controlled the mob, or failed in its due diligence obligation to protect the embassy.
[C]. Only if the mob consists of more than 100 people.
[D]. Only if the individuals are wealthy.
Correct Answer: [B]. No, unless the State directed/controlled the mob, or failed in its due diligence obligation to protect the embassy.
(17). [AIBE 2022] In the Corfu Channel Case, the ICJ held Albania responsible because:
[A]. Albania directly laid the mines
[B]. Albania failed to warn British ships of the minefield in its territorial waters (breach of obligation not to allow its territory to be used for acts contrary to the rights of other states)
[C]. Albania declared war
[D]. Albania blew up the ships with a submarine
Correct Answer: [B]. Albania failed to warn British ships of the minefield in its territorial waters (breach of obligation not to allow its territory to be used for acts contrary to the rights of other states)
(18). If a rebel group successfully overthrows the government and becomes the new government of the State:
[A]. The State is not liable for any acts committed during the civil war.
[B]. The wrongful acts of the successful rebel movement during the struggle are retroactively attributed to the State.
[C]. The rebel group must pay the UN.
[D]. All previous treaties are void.
Correct Answer: [B]. The wrongful acts of the successful rebel movement during the struggle are retroactively attributed to the State.
(19). [CLAT-PG 2018] The overarching principle of Reparation, established in the Chorzow Factory Case, states that reparation must:
[A]. Be a mere formal apology
[B]. Wipe out all the consequences of the illegal act and re-establish the situation as if the act had not been committed
[C]. Bankrupt the offending state
[D]. Be determined by the UNGA
Correct Answer: [B]. Wipe out all the consequences of the illegal act and re-establish the situation as if the act had not been committed
(20). Which form of reparation requires the State to return stolen property or release a wrongfully detained person?
[A]. Satisfaction
[B]. Compensation
[C]. Restitution
[D]. Retaliation
Correct Answer: [C]. Restitution
(21). [AIBE 2023] “Satisfaction” as a form of reparation is typically used for non-material (moral) injuries and includes:
[A]. Paying billions of dollars
[B]. A formal apology or expression of regret
[C]. Giving up territory
[D]. Invading the offending state
Correct Answer: [B]. A formal apology or expression of regret
(22). A State’s geographical territory encompasses the landmass, internal waters, territorial sea, and:
[A]. The High Seas
[B]. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) absolutely
[C]. The national airspace directly above these areas
[D]. Outer space directly above the state
Correct Answer: [C]. The national airspace directly above these areas
(23). [CLAT-PG 2019] Under the UNCLOS, the Territorial Sea over which a coastal State exercises full sovereignty extends up to a limit of:
[A]. 3 nautical miles
[B]. 12 nautical miles
[C]. 24 nautical miles
[D]. 200 nautical miles
Correct Answer: [B]. 12 nautical miles
(24). Foreign ships navigating through a State’s Territorial Sea enjoy the customary right of:
[A]. Fishing freely
[B]. Innocent passage
[C]. Dumping waste
[D]. Conducting military exercises
Correct Answer: [B]. Innocent passage
(25). [AIBE 2020] “Internal Waters” of a State include:
[A]. Rivers, lakes, and ports located on the landward side of the territorial sea baseline
[B]. The High Seas
[C]. The Contiguous Zone
[D]. International Straits
Correct Answer: [A]. Rivers, lakes, and ports located on the landward side of the territorial sea baseline
(26). The Chicago Convention (1944) established that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over:
[A]. Outer space
[B]. The airspace above its territory
[C]. The oceans
[D]. Satellites
Correct Answer: [B]. The airspace above its territory
(27). [CLAT-PG 2022] The acquisition of territory that belongs to no one (Terra Nullius) is known in PIL as:
[A]. Prescription
[B]. Occupation
[C]. Cession
[D]. Accretion
Correct Answer: [B]. Occupation
(28). For “Occupation” to be legally valid under international law, there must be an intention to act as sovereign (animus) and:
[A]. Mere discovery of the land
[B]. Planting a flag
[C]. Actual, continuous, and peaceful display of state authority (corpus)
[D]. A declaration at the UN
Correct Answer: [C]. Actual, continuous, and peaceful display of state authority (corpus)
(29). [AIBE 2018] In the Island of Palmas Arbitration, Arbitrator Max Huber ruled in favor of the Netherlands because:
[A]. The Netherlands discovered the island first
[B]. The Netherlands had continuously and peacefully displayed state authority over the island, overriding Spain’s mere claim of discovery
[C]. The USA abandoned the island
[D]. The island was volcanic
Correct Answer: [B]. The Netherlands had continuously and peacefully displayed state authority over the island, overriding Spain’s mere claim of discovery
(30). Acquiring title to territory by a continuous and peaceful display of sovereignty over a long period of time over territory that originally belonged to another State (who remained silent) is called:
[A]. Occupation
[B]. Prescription
[C]. Cession
[D]. Annexation
Correct Answer: [B]. Prescription
(31). [CLAT-PG 2021] The addition of new territory through natural geological processes, such as a river shifting its course or volcanic island formation, is known as:
[A]. Subjugation
[B]. Avulsion
[C]. Accretion
[D]. Dereliction
Correct Answer: [C]. Accretion
(32). When the United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867, this mode of acquiring territory was:
[A]. Prescription
[B]. Accretion
[C]. Cession
[D]. Occupation
Correct Answer: [C]. Cession
(33). [AIBE 2019] “Cession” requires the transfer of territory via:
[A]. A unilateral declaration
[B]. Natural forces
[C]. A bilateral treaty or agreement
[D]. Military conquest
Correct Answer: [C]. A bilateral treaty or agreement
(34). The acquisition of territory by force or military conquest is termed:
[A]. Annexation / Subjugation
[B]. Cession
[C]. Prescription
[D]. Occupation
Correct Answer: [A]. Annexation / Subjugation
(35). [CLAT-PG 2023] Under the contemporary framework of the UN Charter (Article 2(4)), acquiring territory through Annexation (conquest) is:
[A]. Perfectly legal if the war is just
[B]. Strictly prohibited and legally void
[C]. Subject to a UN tax
[D]. Permitted for powerful states
Correct Answer: [B]. Strictly prohibited and legally void
(36). In the Clipperton Island Arbitration, the requirement for “actual display of authority” for occupation was relaxed because:
[A]. The island was heavily populated
[B]. The island was a completely remote, uninhabitable coral reef
[C]. France possessed nuclear weapons
[D]. Mexico agreed to give it up
Correct Answer: [B]. The island was a completely remote, uninhabitable coral reef
(37). [AIBE 2021] The Estrada Doctrine of Recognition implies that:
[A]. Recognition should only be granted to democratic governments
[B]. States should not explicitly grant or withhold recognition to new governments, as it violates state sovereignty; they should merely maintain or withdraw diplomatic envoys
[C]. Recognition requires UN approval
[D]. Only the USA can recognize states
Correct Answer: [B]. States should not explicitly grant or withhold recognition to new governments, as it violates state sovereignty; they should merely maintain or withdraw diplomatic envoys
(38). The Tobar Doctrine (or Constitutionality Doctrine) suggested that:
[A]. Governments coming to power through extra-constitutional means (coups/revolutions) should not be recognized
[B]. All states must be monarchies
[C]. Recognition must be bought
[D]. De facto recognition is permanent
Correct Answer: [A]. Governments coming to power through extra-constitutional means (coups/revolutions) should not be recognized
(39). [CLAT-PG 2020] A newly formed state that breaks away from a parent state through a violent civil war is most likely to initially receive:
[A]. De Jure recognition
[B]. De Facto recognition
[C]. UN Security Council membership
[D]. Total diplomatic immunity
Correct Answer: [B]. De Facto recognition
(40). Can De Jure recognition be withdrawn?
[A]. Yes, easily
[B]. No, it is generally final and irrevocable, unless the state physically ceases to exist
[C]. Only if the state changes its religion
[D]. Only by the ICJ
Correct Answer: [B]. No, it is generally final and irrevocable, unless the state physically ceases to exist
(41). [AIBE 2017] A state exercises its jurisdiction primarily on a territorial basis. What doctrine allows a state to prosecute its own nationals for crimes committed abroad?
[A]. Territorial Principle
[B]. Active Nationality Principle
[C]. Passive Personality Principle
[D]. Protective Principle
Correct Answer: [B]. Active Nationality Principle
(42). Imputability means that a wrongful act is:
[A]. Forgivable
[B]. Legally attributable to the State
[C]. Committed by an alien
[D]. Covered by insurance
Correct Answer: [B]. Legally attributable to the State
(43). [CLAT-PG 2019] If an ambassador represents the State abroad, their official actions are:
[A]. Private actions
[B]. Imputable to the sending State
[C]. Imputable to the receiving State
[D]. Immune from all liability entirely
Correct Answer: [B]. Imputable to the sending State
(44). The Trail Smelter Arbitration (US v. Canada) established the principle of State Responsibility regarding:
[A]. Diplomatic immunity
[B]. Transboundary environmental harm (A state cannot use its territory to cause serious damage to another)
[C]. Cyber attacks
[D]. Outer space exploration
Correct Answer: [B]. Transboundary environmental harm (A state cannot use its territory to cause serious damage to another)
(45). [AIBE 2022] Which UN body drafted the definitive “Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts” in 2001?
[A]. Human Rights Council
[B]. International Law Commission (ILC)
[C]. Security Council
[D]. World Health Organization
Correct Answer: [B]. International Law Commission (ILC)
(46). A “Circumstance Precluding Wrongfulness” (a valid defense in State Responsibility) includes:
[A]. Economic poverty
[B]. Force Majeure, Distress, and Necessity
[C]. Ignorance of the law
[D]. Change in domestic government
Correct Answer: [B]. Force Majeure, Distress, and Necessity
(47). [CLAT-PG 2021] If a State consents to an action by another State (e.g., allowing foreign troops to conduct an operation on its soil), the action:
[A]. Remains a wrongful act
[B]. Loses its wrongfulness due to the valid consent (Circumstance precluding wrongfulness)
[C]. Triggers automatic UN sanctions
[D]. Amounts to annexation
Correct Answer: [B]. Loses its wrongfulness due to the valid consent (Circumstance precluding wrongfulness)
(48). Res Communis refers to territory that:
[A]. Belongs to no one (Terra Nullius)
[B]. Belongs to all and cannot be appropriated by any single state (e.g., Outer Space, High Seas)
[C]. Was ceded by a treaty
[D]. Was conquered in war
Correct Answer: [B]. Belongs to all and cannot be appropriated by any single state (e.g., Outer Space, High Seas)
(49). [AIBE 2023] The ultimate jurisprudential objective of the rules of State Responsibility is to:
[A]. Guarantee absolute state immunity for all crimes
[B]. Ensure accountability, repair damage caused by wrongful acts, and maintain the international legal order
[C]. Abolish the concept of sovereignty
[D]. Provide an excuse for powerful states to invade weaker ones
Correct Answer: [B]. Ensure accountability, repair damage caused by wrongful acts, and maintain the international legal order
(50). The synergy of Unit II demonstrates that while States possess supreme territorial sovereignty:
[A]. They are completely above International Law.
[B]. They operate within a strict legal framework governing their birth, territorial limits, inherited obligations, and liability for cross-border harm.
[C]. They can acquire territory by any military means necessary.
[D]. Recognition by the UN is the only way a state can exist.
Correct Answer: [B]. They operate within a strict legal framework governing their birth, territorial limits, inherited obligations, and liability for cross-border harm.
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