This document provides an overview of the modern nation-state system. It discusses the origins of nation-states in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. It then outlines the essential elements of nation-states as territorial integrity, sovereignty, nationalism, and equality. The document notes that nation-states are now facing challenges from trends like globalization, decentralization, sub-nationalism, and regional groupings. In conclusion, it discusses potential long-term replacements for the nation-state system like continent-sized governance units under a world government framework.
2. Introduction
What is a Nation-state
Origins of the Nation-State
Essential Elements of Nation-State
Challenges to Modern Nation-State
Prospects of Nation-state system
Conclusion
3. Peace of Westphalia (1648) not only created the modern nation-state
system in Europe but also stipulated the basic rules of statecraft.
Despite all the criticisms, the concept of state and nation took firm
roots in most parts of the world, thanks to colonialism.
However, it is now facing existential challenges from different
sources
This presentation is all about modern nation-state system, its origin,
essential elements, challenges it is facing, & its future prospects.
4. The concept of a nation-state is difficult to define.The key distinction
is the identification of people with a polity in the nation-state.
Declarative Theory of Statehood: “a nation-state is a type of state that
conjoins the political entity of a state to the cultural entity of a nation,
from which it aims to derive its political legitimacy to rule and
potentially its status as a sovereign state”
The concept of a nation-state can be compared and contrasted with
that of the multinational state, city-state, empire, confederation, and
other state formations with which it may overlap.
5. Origins of nation-states disputed. One theory, nation existed first,
then nationalist movements arose for sovereignty, and nation-state
was created to meet that demand
To them, nation-state was an inadvertent by-product of few
developments
◦ 15th-century intellectual discoveries in political science, economics
◦ Rise of capitalism, mercantilism needing efficient state and greater
space
◦ Political geography, cartography and advances in map-making
accelerated it
6. Some "modernization theories" of nationalism see it as a product of
government policies to unify and modernize an already existing state.
Most theories see the nation-state as a modern European phenomenon
called the "Westphalian system" about the Treaty of Westphalia (1648)
The balance of power that characterized that system depended on its
effectiveness upon clearly defined, centrally controlled, independent
entities, whether empires or nation-states, that recognized each
other's sovereignty and territory.
Facilitated by developments such as state-mandated education, mass
literacy, and mass media (including print).
7. Whether Peace of Westphalia(1648) created the modern nation-state
system or it just endorsed a trend is immaterial
European colonial powers introduced it all over the world.
Nation-state got identified with its four essential elements namely
◦ Territorial Integrity
◦ Sovereignty
◦ Nationalism
◦ Equality.
8. Territorial integrity: A geographical entity whereby the protection of
the people living within its boundaries became its chief responsibility.
Sovereignty: Internally, state’s right to order behaviour of its citizens,
and externally, its right to protect its national interest by any means
Nationalism: which advocates identification of the individual with the
state in return for obedience to its laws.
Equality: Finally, international law recognized all states as equal
sovereign entities with equal legal status and rights.
9. Peace of Westphalia not only created the institution of the nation-state
but also stipulated the basic rules of the statecraft
Rule of law, respect for human rights, and democratic governance are
now universal standards acknowledged in most of the constitutions
Also separated state from religion in statecraft and made religion the
private affair of the people. Secularism is now its cornerstone
Despite all the criticisms about its Western origins, the concept of state
and nation has taken firm roots in most parts of the world
10. Despite all the criticisms about its Western origins, the concept of
state and nation took firm roots in most parts of the world – not
without conflicts and bloodshed.
However, it is now facing an existential challenge from four different
trends namely
Globalisation
Decentralisation
Sub-nationalism
Regional groupings.
11. Peace of Westphalia abolished the feudal system of Europe, divided it
into sovereign secular states with thick borderlines
Within those borders, each respective government was the absolute
authority, gave sanctity to borders howsoever arbitrary they may be.
Despite all ups and downs, wars, economic turmoil, and political
chaos, nation-state system has remained relatively stable.
Globalisation is making state redundant player through integration of
commerce, finance, trade, technological developments
12. No longer a conduit by which non-state/supra-state actors must filter
through to operate in and around its geographical sphere.
Globalization has brought more FDI, built infrastructure, inspired
democratic movements and created emerging middle classes globally
It is disrupting social fabrics of nation-state, causes unrest, financial
meltdown, poverty, hunger, dissension, ethnic crisis.
Nation-state seems helpless due to inability of its current structure to
effectively harness its destructive elements.
13. Rise of the demand for greater decentralisation by its federating units and
even by the mega-cities under its jurisdiction.
Increasing population, rapid urbanisation, greater economic activity making
these provines/cities autonomous governance entities
This process has accelerated from the 1970s onward, with the introduction
of various forms of regional autonomy in formerly centralized states.
It is now common for provinces, states, and cities to deal directly with the
other nation-states, corporations, and other big cities
14. Most modern nation-states are artificial creations, results of dissolution
of empires or end of colonialism; most are multi-ethnic, multi-lingual.
Resultantly, in every state, there are efforts to convert these nationalities
into a single nation through a wset of state policies
However, that is being challenged by emerging sub-nationalism in their
areas of jurisdiction particularly after separation of religion from state
There is emerging a wide legitimacy gap for keeping the people
together; to create a solid foundation of unity that religion used to do.
15. Peaceful conditions within a nation-state, led to the emergence of
capitalist- industrialist class as an extremely powerful stakeholder.
They needed bigger areas of operation which was only possible within
bigger units of administration- EU type regional entities
Emergence of capitalism as the dominant mode of production
globally is accelerating regional grouping, sidestepping the nation-
state
It is added by outsourcing as a universally accepted form of business
organisation, technological developments,information technology
16. Emboldened by the success of EU, other nation-states started
experimenting with similar models which is continuing.
These regional groupings are just another milestone towards the
formation of World Government-the endpoint of the march of history.
Despite all above mentioned thrends, there is no threat to nation-state
as the most powerful actor in decision making, domestically or globally
However, in the long term, its future is not guranteed
17. Within next two centuries, current state borders will be abolished,
and nation-states will be replaced by continent-sized units of
governance
While UNO will act as World Parliament to formulate global policies,
its constituent units will be acting like global ministries
World Bank as the central bank English will be recognised as the
universal language with inputs from different languages
18. From village to towns to city states to nation-state is a long journey
for this institution to evove and survive
It has contributed a lot to the global warfare, yet it has also
contributed a lot towards improving the quality of life of citizens
The threats it is facing are helping it adapt to new realities, leading
ultimately to something better-World Government
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