A nation-state is a political entity that derives its political legitimacy from serving as a sovereign state for a nation, a large social grouping of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. Nation-states are the primary political organizational units in the modern world, and their rise and development are closely tied to the concepts of nationalism, communism, fascism, and authoritarianism.
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Nation-states emerged as the dominant political organization in the modern world during the 19th and 20th centuries, replacing previous forms of political organization such as empires and city-states.
The concept of the nation-state is closely tied to the rise of nationalism, which emphasizes the importance of a shared national identity and the right of a nation to self-determination.
Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, such as fascist and communist states, have often sought to create a strong, centralized nation-state that exercises complete control over its citizens.
The establishment of nation-states has been a key factor in the development of modern economic and political systems, including the global capitalist system and the international system of states.
The principle of national self-determination, which holds that each nation has the right to form its own sovereign state, has been a driving force behind many nationalist movements and the creation of new nation-states.
Review Questions
Explain how the concept of the nation-state is connected to the rise of nationalism.
The nation-state is closely tied to the rise of nationalism, which emphasizes the importance of a shared national identity and the right of a nation to self-determination. Nationalism promotes the idea that a nation should have its own sovereign state, with the nation-state serving as the primary political and organizational unit. The establishment of nation-states has been a key factor in the development of modern economic and political systems, as well as the international system of states.
Describe the role of nation-states in the development of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, such as fascist and communist states.
Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, such as fascist and communist states, have often sought to create a strong, centralized nation-state that exercises complete control over its citizens. These regimes have used the concept of the nation-state to consolidate power, promote a particular national identity, and suppress dissent. The establishment of nation-states has been a key factor in the development of these types of political systems, which aim to exercise total control over the population and the economy.
Analyze the impact of the principle of national self-determination on the creation of new nation-states and the international system of states.
The principle of national self-determination, which holds that each nation has the right to form its own sovereign state, has been a driving force behind many nationalist movements and the creation of new nation-states. This has had a significant impact on the international system of states, as the establishment of new nation-states has led to the reorganization of political boundaries and the emergence of new actors on the global stage. The quest for national self-determination has been a key factor in the development of the modern international system, which is largely based on the concept of the nation-state as the primary political and organizational unit.
An ideology and movement characterized by the promotion of the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty (self-governance) over its homeland.