THE NATION-STATE AND TRANSNATIONAL ENTITIES

The Nation-State & Transnational Entities

The Nation-State & Transnational Entities

1.

A nation-state is associated with a particular group of people, the nation, and derives its claim to legitimate existence from them. This in contrast to some monarchies, which derived their legitimacy from the ruling dynasty, or ancient land grants to its ancestors. The nation-state is in a sense the historical vehicle of that nation, and tries to ensure its survival as a nation. Almost always, it has an explicit policy to protect the national culture.

Following are the characteristics of Nation State:

- A nation state serves as a sovereign entity for a particular nation and also as a sovereign territorial unit.

- A nation state is a political and geopolitical entity

- It is also cultural and ethnic entity

- The citizens share a common language, culture and values

- They consider their territory as semi sacred and non transferable

- The border is defined by natural border

- The state is an instrument of national unity in all walks of life.

Clear examples of nation states include:

•Iceland: although the inhabitants are ethnically related to other Scandinavian groups, the national culture and language are found only in Iceland. There are no cross-border minorities— the nearest land is too far away.

•Japan: Japan is also traditionally seen as a good example of a nation-state, although Japan includes minorities of ethnically distinct Ryukyu peoples, Koreans, Chinese and Filipinos, and on the northern island of Hokkaido, the indigenous Ainu minority; see also Japanese Demographics .

•Portugal: although surrounded by other lands and people, the Portuguese nation has occupied the same territory for almost 900 years. The modern Portuguese nation is a very old amalgam of formerly distinct historical populations that passed through and settled in the territory of modern Portugal: native Iberian peoples, Celts, ancient Mediterraneans (Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans), Germanic peoples like the Suebi and the Visigoths, invading Berbers and Arabs, and Jews.

2.a

United States as Modern Nation-State

Nation states have their own characteristics, differing from those of the pre-national states. For a start, they have a different attitude to their territory, compared to the dynastic monarchies: it is semi-sacred, and non-transferable. No nation would swap territory with other states simply, for example, because the king's daughter got married. They have a different type of border, in principle defined only by the area of settlement of the national group, although many nation states also sought natural borders (rivers, mountain ranges).

The most noticeable characteristic is the degree to which nation-states use the state as an instrument of national unity, in economic, social and cultural life.

The nation-state promoted economic unity, first by abolishing internal customs and tolls. In Germany this process- the creation of the Zollverein- preceded formal national unity. Nation states typically have a policy to create and maintain a national transportation infrastructure, facilitating trade and travel. In 19th century Europe, the expansion of the rail transport networks was at first largely a matter for private railway companies, but gradually came under control of the national governments. The French rail network, with its main lines ...