Final answer:
The question addresses the belief that the U.S. Constitution allowed states to secede from the union, which led to the formation of the Confederate States of America. It also touches upon how non-binding agreements on the international level, like the Iran Nuclear Deal, can be affected by changes in domestic politics and state behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement refers to the belief held by Southern politicians during the American Civil War that the Constitution was a contract that states entered voluntarily and could leave if they wished. This viewpoint contributed to the formation of the Confederate States of America.
The concept is rooted in the understanding of the Constitution and the social contract theory, which posits that governments are founded on the consent of the governed and that autonomy can be reclaimed by the states if the federal government does not respect their rights, thus the union is non-binding. This interpretation was used to justify secession and was highly contested, leading to the Civil War.
The relationship between states and the federal government, as well as the nature of treaties and agreements, such as the Iran Nuclear Deal, adds complexity to the discussion of state autonomy and the enforcement of international norms.
These issues also resonate on the international stage, where non-binding agreements can be made between countries. Friendly interactions, the role of norms, and the behavior of states in the international community affect global politics and the reliability of international agreements.