Brief Outline on key Elements of Nation-State

It took a long time for the modern nation state to emerge as a political organisation.

Humans used to travel in groups in ancient times. Humans are sociable animals who cannot exist in solitude, as is clear. They are members of the society. They require a collective existence that maintains certain norms and laws, and this group life has progressively led to the establishment of political communities and the emergence of the state. The State used to be quite basic in terms of management. It has evolved and grown from that fundamental organisation into the contemporary complex organisation. It has taken on various shapes over time and has become an omnipresent reality.

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Key Terms

The definitions highlight the fact that the state consists of four basic components. (1) population, (2) territory, (3) government, and (4) sovereignty are the four categories (or independence). The state’s physical or material basis is made up of the first two parts, while its political and spiritual basis is made up of the last two.

1. Population-The state is a social concept. As a result, the most essential factor is population. There are no definite rules when it comes to population. Plato and Aristotle, among other ancient Greek authors, advocated for a small population. A perfect state, according to Plato, should have 5040 people as its population.

Aristotle established the broad notion that a state’s population should be large enough to be sufficient yet small enough to allow for good governance. It’s important to recall that they were both thinking in terms of little city-states.

Rousseau set the figure at 10,000 in contemporary times, inspired by ideas of direct democracy. States now range in size from the hundreds in Monaco or San Marino to the billions in China or India. Large states are favoured in today’s world. All that can be argued is that having a big population is beneficial in terms of military defence.

A huge population, on the other hand, might be a problem if the state’s resources are insufficient to support it. Overpopulation is one of the most serious issues that developing countries confront. As a result, there should be a healthy equilibrium between a state’s population number and its material wealth.

2. Territory: A defined and more or less permanent territory is also considered an essential aspect of the state. Citizens in contemporary times are linked by their shared living on a common land. A state’s territory is made up of land, sea, and air space.

There is no limit to area, just as there is no limit to population. Small and big states coexist in the world.   All states, regardless of population or size, have the same status and rights under international law. Small states are said to be ideal for efficient administration and creating a sense of unity and affection for the state among the people.

A small state, on the other hand, is at a disadvantage in its ties with larger states. Small states are influenced by one or more major and strong countries. It is argued in favour of big states because they are powerful in defence and economically self-sufficient due to resource availability.

It should be noted that a state’s strength and security are not only defined by the size of its territory. Other considerations include geographic position, resources, and climate.

3. Government: A group of individuals who occupy a specific region cannot create a state unless they are politically organised, that is, unless they have a government. The state’s political organisation is known as the government. It is a tangible and visible expression of governmental authority.

Government, according to Garner, is the institution that determines common policies and regulates common affairs.  The government is the medium through which the state wills and acts. Government must be effective; it must be capable of maintaining order and ensuring compliance. There would be chaos and anarchy without a government, and the state would eventually dissolve.

The legislature, executive, and judiciary are the three branches of government. The legislature creates laws, the executive implements them, and the court decides on cases and disputes.

Different states have different types of governance, such as monarchy, democracy, and dictatorship. Democracies make up the majority of developed countries. India, like many other developing countries, has democratic governments. Whatever kind of government is used, one thing is certain: without government, there can be no state.

4. Sovereignty:

Sovereignty is the ability to control one’s own state’s sovereignty is by far the most important characteristic. It is the feature that sets the state apart from all other institutions. It refers to the ultimate power or authority over which there is no appeal.

Internal and external components of sovereignty exist. Internally, the state wields absolute control over all persons and organisations inside its defined territory. It has the power to compel people to obey its laws and commands. Externally, the state is independent and not in control of any foreign power. India was not a state before independence since it was ruled by the British.

Similarly, the Indian federation is made up of several component entities referred to as “states,” but they are not states in international law since they are not sovereign. Similarly, because it is not sovereign, the United Nations (UN) is not a state.

5. International Recognition-

In recent times, international relations have strengthened, and several international organisations and institutions have emerged. As a result, some academics contend that international recognition is a necessary element of statehood. International recognition refers to other countries acknowledging a new state’s sovereign sovereignty.

However, there is no agreement on how many nations must recognise a new state in order for it to be recognised as a state under international law. There is also a political dimension to recognition. China has been a full-fledged country for many years before the United Nations was founded in 1945.

Absolute sovereignty is impossible to achieve. International laws must be followed by a state. Otherwise, worldwide anarchy would follow, posing serious challenges to international peace and security. Unlimited sovereignty, as Laski correctly points out, is a threat to world peace and mankind.

Conclusion

There are billions of people on the planet, and hundreds of thousands in our state, nation, and country, each with their own unique perspective on fundamental topics. In most situations, differences lead to division and conflict. Despite our differences in terms of territorial borders, ethnic groups, and religion, we all share a similar goal: to enhance the society we live in and the people who live in it. This is what ties together different states, nations, and countries.