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.

1. Shahid Hussain Raja
Author/Consultant/Trainer
Cambridge. UK
www.shahidhussainraja.com

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

19.  If you like the presentation , kindly click the icon
 For any question, kindly email me at shahidraja@hotmail.com
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website
www.shahidhussainraja.com
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