chapter 2 pols nation-states

The Importance of the State

  • Definition of a State:

    • A state is defined as an independent, self-governing political community.

    • It possesses governing institutions that have the capability to make rules that are binding on the population within a defined territory.

  • Distinction from Government:

    • The term "government" refers to a set of institutions, including politicians, tasked with making decisions and overseeing their implementation on behalf of the state for a specified duration.

Sovereignty and the State

  • Dimensions of Sovereignty:

    • States claim to be the highest authority for their population and territorial claims.

    • Additionally, states operate independently and are not subject to any external authority.

  • Legal Equality of States:

    • All states are considered legally equal despite differences in power.

  • Growth of Sovereign States:

    • The number of sovereign states has significantly increased in the last seventy years, with 193 member states in the United Nations as of 2018.

The Increasing Number of Sovereign States: Membership in the United Nations

  • Note on Membership:

    • Almost all recognized sovereign states are members of the United Nations.

Failed States

  • Definition of Failed State:

    • A failed state is characterized by its inability to enforce laws, maintain order, protect citizens' lives, and provide essential services.

  • Fragile States:

    • Many states exhibit only a weak governing capacity and thus can be classified as fragile states.

Power Disparities

  • Impact of Power Disparities:

    • Significant power disparities among states result in some weaker nations having their sovereignty limited or entirely ignored.

  • International Community Intervention:

    • Elements of the international community may intervene in sovereign states to protect human rights.

    • The United Nations has mandated a collective international responsibility to protect people in cases of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

Nations, Nation-States, and Nationalism

  • Definition of Nation-States:

    • A nation-state is a sovereign state where the people share a common identity as members of a nation.

  • Diversity within States:

    • Many states encompass populations that are not based on a single nation, instead exhibiting diversity.

  • Definition of Nation:

    • A nation refers to a group of individuals who share a common identity and typically believe they should self-govern within their homeland.

  • Characteristics of National Identity:

    • National identity often exists where people share common characteristics such as ethnicity, language, culture, religion, or shared experiences within a territory.

The Development of National Identities

  • Government Efforts in National Identity Formation:

    • To promote a national identity, governments often engage in efforts to replace local and regional dialects, cultures, and identities with a prevailing national culture.

  • Pressure to Adopt Dominant Group Culture:

    • Creating a national identity may involve persuading diverse groups to adopt the culture, language, and values associated with the dominant group.

Nationalism

  • Definition of Nationalism:

    • Nationalism holds that the nation-state represents the optimal form of political community, advocating for the idea that a nation should have its own self-governing state.

    • It emphasizes the promotion of the interests, culture, and values of the nation.

  • Types of Nationalism:

    • Ethnic Nationalism:

    • Based on common ancestry, cultural traditions, and languages associated with a specific ethnic group.

    • Civic Nationalism:

    • Based on shared political values and the political history of those recognized as citizens of a country.

The Development of Nation-States

  • Popular Sovereignty in the 19th Century:

    • In the 19th century, the principle of popular sovereignty evolved into the concept that nations should be self-governing.

  • Challenges in Creating Nation-States:

    • The separation of the world into states according to national identities poses significant challenges.

  • Success of National Identity in Canada:

    • Canada is often cited as an example of a nation-state, although it includes diverse national identities.

Multiculturalism

  • Policy of Multiculturalism:

    • Rather than compelling distinct ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups to assimilate into a dominant identity, Canada and similar countries embrace a multiculturalism policy.

  • Definition of Official Multiculturalism:

    • Official multiculturalism involves recognizing and supporting cultural diversity, encouraging different cultures to preserve their traditions.

  • Challenges to Multiculturalism:

    • The policy has faced challenges, particularly from backlash against Muslim immigration, where some view it as a threat to the prevailing social culture and values.

Is the Nation-State the Most Desirable Form of Political Community?

  • Trust within Nation-States:

    • Trust in government and other institutions may be more easily developed in nation-states.

  • Legitimacy and Governance:

    • The legitimacy of the state and its governing authorities sees less challenge when the state is formed by a population that identifies as a common nation.

  • Critique of Small Nation-States:

    • Critics argue that nations with small populations and limited geographic areas face difficulties such as limited internal markets, challenges in distributing government service costs over a larger populace, and military defense issues.

Citizenship

  • Importance of Citizenship:

    • Citizenship is fundamental to the establishment and functioning of the modern nation-state.

  • Definition of Citizenship:

    • Citizenship grants permanent residents of a country full membership in the political community, alongside certain rights and obligations.

  • Revocability of Citizenship:

    • In most countries, citizenship cannot be easily revoked.

  • Key Issues in Citizenship:

    • Focus on citizens' obligations to the political community and equality within the community.

Citizenship Rights, Obligations, and Equality

  • Obligations to the Political Community:

    • Citizens are expected to uphold obligations to their political community.

  • Equality of Membership:

    • Citizenship implies equal membership within the political community, irrespective of social status, ethnicity, gender, wealth, or other characteristics.

  • Differentiated Citizenship:

    • Emerging discussions around differentiated citizenship rights for specific groups based on:

    • Historic rights.

    • The legacy of oppression and discrimination.

    • The exclusion of particular groups from mainstream society.

Globalization (1 of 2)

  • Definition of Globalization:

    • Globalization encompasses the processes that enhance the interconnectedness of the world.

  • Factors Affecting Globalization Rate:

    • Various factors, including government policies, can influence the acceleration, slowing, or reversal of globalization.

  • Areas of Globalization Influence:

    • The impact of globalization is most notably felt in the economic, political, and cultural realms.

Globalization (2 of 2)

  • Economic Globalization:

    • Characterized by the rise of global corporations and a dramatic increase in global trade since 1950.

    • It also tends to diminish the capacity of national governments to manage their economies.

  • Cultural Globalization:

    • Advances in communication technologies allow for wider dissemination of cultural products and values, primarily from the West, across the globe.

  • Political Globalization:

    • Globalization has necessitated the creation of international institutions such as the United Nations, international financial institutions, and global non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Globalization and the State

  • State Power vs. Globalization:

    • While states continue to exhibit strength, some argue that globalization is diminishing their authority through:

    • Shifting power to global institutions (e.g., World Trade Organization).

    • Expanding the influence of global markets and the power of multinational corporations.

    • Catalyzing separatist movements.