The Nation-State (L-5)
A nation-state is the political organization corresponding to a social-cultural territory, typically referred to as «a country» and which claims sovereignty. Sovereignty (PH'6CsHG71) permits a society to take all steps to ensure stability while enabling necessary changes. In particular there is the exertion of power to preserve and develop the integrity of the culture, both within the country and in relation to outside bodies and countries.
Alternative terms for Nation-state include:
Kingdom, Republic, Dominion, Principality, State, Federation, Nation, Union, or just Country.
Terms for Government-L5 include: Central, Federal, National, or a Union.
Primacy of Culture
A culture within a given territory is the fundamental basis of the larger political organization of human communities. A culture is commonly recognized if there is:
- a distinctive language with a substantial literature
- a history that has generated customs and traditions
- specific religious and ethical beliefs.
The behaviour of the community in question in relation to its political structures is often used as a way to reach a conclusion about its distinctiveness. Example: Kurds and Kurdistan
.
Theory is Easy: A culture consists of a powerful set of values that lead people to desire its protection and preservation through instituting a sovereign government.
But Hard to Apply: Objective determination of a cultural group may be hard, and there may be much argument about when a community within a territory does or does not form a distinct culture, rather than a sub-cultural variation.
Culture & Violence
Culture is a matter of life or death for a person, so when there is continuing violence, it is likely that cultural factors are in play. Inequitable treatment of minority ethnic groups within a nation is less significant than efforts to eradicate values and language.
The term «nation» and the phrase «national unity» may be used to imply ethnic purity, even when that is not actually the case.
Empires & Nation-States
If disparate cultures are forced under the rule of a single political regime, then the nation-state is better termed an empire. It is entirely predictable that pressures to break up an empire are continuously present.
As soon as the ruling regime is unable or unwilling to use deadly force to hold the empire together, breakup occurs.
Example: Britain lost its extensive empire over many decades; the USSR disintegrated rapidly in the 1990s.
Rule of Law
The national government develops laws to embody, preserve and develop the culture within the country, ensuring it cannot be subverted from within or without. These laws are coercive and cross all internal boundaries of the country to provide complete coverage to all citizens.
Culture & the Three Powers
If there are to be laws to protect culture, then there must be an organized legislature to make the laws, a judiciary to apply laws and to judge situations, and an executive to ensure laws are carried out. This assumes a separation of powers.
A judiciary is as cultural as the legislature in that the interpretation of law, understanding of social facts, and a proper appreciation of arguments presented in court requires a given and known cultural base. An executive must also operate with sensitivity for cultural assumptions and public acceptability.
Intrinsic Responsibilities
Responsibilities in governing a nation-state:
- Uphold the constitution, especially in relation to territorial subdivision (devolution of power) and protection of individual freedom.
- Develop citizenship e.g. official language(s), immigration controls.
- Maintain relations with other sovereign nations, especially foreign policy (making/avoiding war) & trading (tariffs, excise)
- Preserve the security of the realm against external forces
and internal subversion.
- Supervise monetary control within the realm e.g. banking regulation, taxation.
Pseudo-National Concerns
Many national concerns, like education , welfare , economic development, regulation of professions, justice, health care, housing, are not intrinsically national . They deal with social needs that are applicable universally to all or many tiers of political community.
It is a political issue to determine at which territorial tier each aspect of any particular social need is best handled. Analysis to follow suggests that many needs are handled at all tiers, but handled at each tier differently in accord with the nature of the community at that tier. Recognizing that difference (and acting on it) is the primary value of this framework.
Centralization of services, i.e. over-centralization, is a common manifestation of a grab, by powerful national politicians, for wealth (to provide services) and power (to control services, staff and clients of those services).
Example: The US Constitution recognized this danger but its prohibitions are routinely over-ridden.
Read more on Political Tiers and Services for Citizens.
Common confusions… in regard to boundary decisions are usually caused by conflating political and organizational needs. These confusions are a common cause of national/local tensions. Read more about social and organizational territories.
Originally posted: August-2009; Last updated: 15-Nov-2010