The key features that distinguish nation-states from other forms of political organization - Essay Example

The Key Features that Distinguish Nation s from Other Forms of Political Organization One of the most famous forms of political organization, the nation-state came into being as a response to the mounting demand for political sovereignty and there is crucial dispute about the origins and early history of nation-states. The concept of nation-state serves as a starting point in an analysis of the interconnected concepts of nation, state, and other forms of political systems in the world today. Nation-state has been recognized as one of the most appropriate political institutional models for the modern world and it has received high regard among the other forms of political organization such as the multi-national state, supranational institutional structures, etc.

Significantly, nation-state should be realized as a political unit with a sovereign state of populated by people of a common culture, history, and language. “A nation-state is a state whose primary loyalty is to a cultural self-identity, which we call a nation or nationality, and is now the predominant form of state organization. Nation-states possess sovereignty and legitimacy.” (Pick, 3) The concept of nation-state combines the concept of ‘state’, i.e. a political and geopolitical entity, with the concept of ‘nation’ which is a cultural and ethnic entity.

Whereas there are significant claims made in the recent years about the end of nation-states, it is important to recognize that “there are at least two types of m nation-state: ‘ethnic’ nation-states, founded through the process known as ‘nation-state building’ (for example, Germany), and ‘civic’ nation-states, founded through ‘state-nation building’ (for example, France). It would appear that certain homogenous types of nation-states are outmoded, but others deserve to be maintained, especially those that are able to recognize their own poly-ethnic and pluricultural character.

” (Seymour, 3) Significantly, the term ‘nation-state’ combines the ‘ethnic’ nation-states and the ‘civic’ nation-states, and it is one of the underlying features which distinguishes the nation-state from the other forms of political organization, which historically preceded it. Nation-state is one of the most important forms of government which derives its political legitimacy from the sovereign powers of the state, and it replaced the fluctuating empires of earlier world history.

In a historical survey of the various forms of government through the history of mankind, it becomes evident that the system of nation-states developed over a long period of time, from a time when there were no nation-states to a time when nation-states have become essential components of political organization. One of the characteristic features of nation-state as a political entity is that it brought about an end of the political and economic inequalities in human societies. In order to clearly understand the basic features as well as the power of nation-state, it is essential to realize the formal aspects of this form of state.

“Nation-states replaced the fluctuating empires of earlier world history. Empires had strong centers and weak boundaries, and they maintained strong hierarchies of power and status at their centers. By contrast, nation-states have developed strong boundaries, but they may have strong or weak centers.” (Ackermann, 117) Therefore, it is fundamental to maintain that nation-states have certain key features that distinguish them from the other forms of political organization which preceded them.

One of the distinctive features of the nation-state is that it is the most stable form of state organization when the people are consolidated around a particular nationality. Unlike the other forms of government, nation-state offers the highest possibility for the growth of democracy and the stable environment provided by this form of government helped the emergence of modern financial, industrial and technological civilization in Western Europe. The various forms of government before the establishment of the nation-states in the 16th and 17th century did not derive their authority from the people, but from their personal and other types of powers.

Significantly, seven different forms government were in rule before the derivation of the nation-states and they included personal rule, theocracy, city state, oligarchy, military state, tribal state, and empire. “The establishment of a nation state entailed the transfer of legitimacy from a ruler not accountable to those he ruled to one accountable to the nation. This arose as the development of wealth from improved agriculture, trade, and industry created a civil society.” (Pick, 3) Therefore, the central features that distinguish nation-states from other forms of political organization have resulted in an effective form of government which ensures sovereignty and overall progress of the people.

One of the most essential arguments of the defenders of nation-state is that it remains an indispensible form of organization in the modern world – politically, economically, culturally, and even psychologically. Significantly, the various aspects of the lives of the people in Western Europe have been shaped by nation-state for the last two centuries or more and the characteristic features that distinguish nation-states from other forms of political organization have been greatly appreciated by the example of government system in this part of the world.

It is because of the success of nation-states over the previous centuries that nation-states have become the most celebrated form of political organization in the modern world. “The world as we know it is a world of nation-states. Indeed, the world today embodies a global nation-state system, and contemporary nation-states are involved in a variety of power, exchange, and communicative relationships.” (McNeely, 1) Therefore, it is essential to realize that the nation-state has become the most prominent system of government in the modern world, due mainly to the distinctive features of this political form of government.

In conclusion, the underlying features that distinguish the nation-state from the other forms of political organization have resulted in the recent popularity of nation-states. Works Cited Ackermann, Robert John. Heterogeneities: Race, Gender, Class, Nation, and State. New York: University of Massachusetts Press. 1996. P 117. McNeely, Connie L. Constructing the Nation-State: International Organization and Prescriptive Action. Greenwood Publishing Group. 1995. Pick, Anthony C. “The Nation State: An Essay.” 2011. P 3.

26 March 2011. . Seymour, Michel. The Fate of the Nation-State. New York: McGill-Queen’s Press. 2004. P 3.