Political systems

Nation State

A nation-state is a state, or
country, that has defined borders
and territory. It is additionally a
country in which a nation of
principally the same type of people
exists, organized by either race or
cultural background.
 Nation State

In the nation-state, generally,

everyone would speak the same
language, probably practice the
same or similar types of religion,
and share a set of cultural,
“national,” values.
 Contd…
 The nation-state is a State that
self-identifies as deriving its
political legitimacy from serving
as a sovereign entity for a
country as a sovereign territorial
unit. The state is a political and
geographical entity; the nation is
a cultural and/or ethnic entity.
 History and origins

The origins and early history of

nation-states are disputed. A major
theoretical issue is: "which came
first — the nation or the nation
state?”
 History and origins

For nationalists themselves, the

answer is that the nation existed
first, nationalist movements arose
to present its legitimate demand for
sovereignty, and the nation-state
met that demand.
 History and origins

Some "modernization theories" of

nationalism see the national identity
largely as a product of government
policy, to unify and modernize an
already existing state.
 Before nation-states

In Europe, in the 18th century, the

classic non-national states were the
multi-ethnic empires, (the Austro-
Hungarian Empire, the Russian
Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the
British Empire) and smaller states
at what would now be called sub-
national level.
 Before nation-states

 The multi-ethnic empire was a Monarchy

ruled by a king, empire or sultan. The
population belonged to many ethnic groups,
and they spoke many languages. The empire
was dominated by one ethnic group, and their
language was usually the language of public
administration. The ruling dynasty was
usually, but not always, from that group. This
type of state is not specifically European:
such empires existed on all continents.
 Characteristics of the nation-state

Nation-states have their own

characteristics, differing from those
of the pre-national states. For a
start, they have a different attitude
to their territory, compared to the
dynastic monarchies: it is semi-
sacred, and non-transferable.
“

A State "S" is a self-governing political

entity. The term State can be used
interchangeably with country.
A nation, however, is a tightly-knit group of
people which share a common culture. A
nation-state is a nation which has the same
borders as a State.
 Nations and Nation-States

 Nations are culturally homogeneous groups

of people, larger than a single tribe or
community, which share a common
language, institutions, religion, and historical
experience.
 When a nation of people have a State or
country of their own, it is called a nation-state.
Places like France, Egypt, Germany, and
Japan are excellent examples of nation-
states.