Basic Concepts of Political Science: Nation, Nationalism, State, and Government

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core definitions, key political theorists, and concepts surrounding Nation, Nationalism, State, and Government.

Civics Focus

The primary focus of Civics is on the citizen.

Political Science Focus

The focus of Political Science is on the State, the Government, and the Administration.

Nasci

The Latin word originating the term 'Nation', meaning 'to be born'.

Nation

A body of people who identify socially, culturally, and politically, possessing a psychological sense of oneness born out of common culture, ethnicity, race, religion, language, or history.

Ernest Barker's Definition of a Nation

A body of men, inhabiting a definite territory, who normally are drawn from different races, but possess common stock of thoughts and feelings acquired and transmitted during the course of common history, a common religious belief, or use a common language.

Nationalism

A sense of political identity and love for one's nation that binds people in sentimental attachment and political loyalty to their homeland.

Progressive Nationalism

A force of nationalism that brings a society together and promotes development.

Aggressive Nationalism

A force of nationalism that can create differences amongst people.

State

An independent sovereign country characterized by four essential elements: sovereignty, an independent government, a specific territory, and a population.

Aristotle's Definition of the State

Defined by Ancient Greek Philosopher Aristotle (384 BCE-322 BCE) as a union of families and villages having for its ends a perfect and self-sufficing life, meaning a happy and honourable life.

Jean Bodin's Definition of the State

Defined by French Jurist and Philosopher Jean Bodin (1530-1596) as an association of families and their possession governed by supreme power and by reason.

Woodrow Wilson's Definition of the State

Defined by 28th American President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) as a people organised for law within a definite territory.

Harold Laski's Definition of the State

Defined by British political theorist Harold Laski (1893-1950) as a territorial society divided into government and subjects claiming within its allotted physical area, a supremacy over all other institutions.

Sovereignty

A legal term indicating that a country is legally sovereign with its own independent constitution.

Legitimacy

The authority granted to the government of a State to take decisions in the public interest.

Jurisdiction

The legal power that the State has to govern and take decisions within its specific territory.

Territorial Waters

The coastal sea area extending 12 nautical miles (22.2 km or 13.8 miles) along a coastline that belongs to a state's territory.

Government

A concrete, administrative wing and agent of the State through which the will of the State is formulated, expressed, and realized.

Public Institutions

Organs of the state (including the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and Bureaucracy) that possess legitimacy to make laws, policies, and decisions.

Private Institutions

Institutions belonging to civil society, such as private businesses and clubs, which lack public state authority.

Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)

The recognized legitimate representative of the Palestinian people that identified Gaza and West Bank as the territory of Palestine.

Status of Palestine

Recognized as a 'Non-member Observer' State of the UN since 2012 and by over 100 UN members, but considered a nation rather than a full state because it lacks a sovereign government and its territory is under Israeli jurisdiction.

The Discovery of India

A book authored by Jawaharlal Nehru containing chapters such as 'Bharat Mata' and 'The Variety and Unity of India'.