4/17/2020 The Nation State System | eBook

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The Nation State System
Sociology | Mercantile Law | International Law | International Relations

The Nation State System

Modern world is the world hosting nation state system. This system in its very basic sense
ensures the origin of states on the world map. And the relationships among these states are
to be regulated by internationally agreed set of rules. This nation state system is child of
political and social evolution of the world that commenced with the birth of social animal on
this planet.

What is Nation State System?

Palmer defines nation state system in these words; “Nation State System is a pattern of
political life which organizes people separately into sovereign states”.

Elements of a Nation State

Every nation state of the world is to possess four essential elements in order to prove its
recognition. These elements are;

Population as a nation

Definite territory for that population to live in

A government to govern that population with the defined territory

Sovereignty of that nation state

Origin of Nation State System

Origin of the modern nation state system can be traced back into 1648 when the Peace Treaty
of Westphalia was signed. This treaty was actually an agreement to end the ‘Thirty Years of
War’ from 1618 to 1648 between various religio – political factions of the landmass Europe.

Prior to signing of this treaty various religious sects of Christian Europe were at daggers
drawn at one hand and there was dreadful clash between the Church and the Throne on the
other hand.

With the Peace of Westphalia drawn in 1648, for the first time in human history, independent
sovereign territories were defined to be ruled by the nations living in them. This was a way to
end the long war and it proved quite effective.

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4/17/2020 The Nation State System | eBook

Modern Nation State System

Europe became the birthplace of the contemporary nation state system. Though it was not in
this position at that time but with the time passing it evolved. Today, the nation state system
shapes an international community to discuss and deal with the affairs between them.

Today, the nation state system is complex than ever. Not only the states are the prominent
actors as in the past but also the non-state actors occupy their place. Nation state system of
present day is however more concrete but still victim of various international problems.

Future of Nation State System

There can never be one state of the whole world as nations hesitate to lose their distinct
identities. Nation state system will continue in the future of this world with any rare chance of
being replaced. It is system that if not perfect then at least better than its previous versions.

Further, nations have learned to govern themselves and their states. They have established
international community, international peace making institution and international law as
well. Thus, it is a relatively better system.

Conclusion
Nation state system is the framework in which modern political world acts. It has more
evolved and developed mechanisms of conduct with each other. Nation states become the
basis of studying International Relations as well both in terms of a discipline as well as in
terms of a mechanism.

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