In this article you will learn about the Rise of the Nation in Political Science.
Rise of the Nation
The Nation began taking shape around the year 1648 when the Thirty-year War was brought to an end by the Treaty of Westphalia in Europe. This treaty paved the way for this development because it recognised that Rome could no longer command the allegiance of the states and that the Pope had no right to interfere in the affairs of the state in the name of his highest spiritual authority. The State as such, emerged supreme in its territory with a power to command its people in both temporal and secular spheres.
The concept of sovereignty of the state got full recognition and relations among nations came to be conducted by sovereign states for securing their respective interests in relation with other states.
In the era of imperialism even the use of power of the state for dominating other states came to be recognised as a right of the nation.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the rise of nationalism as the salient principle of nation-state got a world-wide acceptance. The rise of the modern nation in England in which nationalism became coequal with the idea of individual liberties and popular participation in public affairs, the American Revolution 1776 and the French Revolution 1789, gave strength to the concept of nation fortified with the spirit and philosophy of nationalism.
The unification of Germany (1864-71) further gave strength to the concept of nationalism as the hallmark of the state. The Philosophical foundations of the nation received tremendous strength from the ideas of Hegel (1770-1831), the German philosopher. The rise of intense nationalism and modernization of Japan gave further strength to it.
The march of events of the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly the coming of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, invigorated the consolidation of the nation as the fundamental unit of protection. Once this development has taken place, the resulting case of social and economic interactions within them and the relative isolation of their populations from neighbour nations helped the solidification of the relative isolation of their populations from neighbouring states helped the solidification of different institutions, cultures, linguistic and religious patterns of behaviour which came to be identified with the nation.
Main features of the Nation
The nation got identified with its four main elements : Population, Territory, Government and Sovereignty. In the sphere of international relations Nationalism, Territorial, Integrity, Sovereignty and Legal Equality got fully recognised.
1. Sovereignty of Nation
Sovereignty came to be regarded as the hallmark of the nation. The concept of sovereignty implied both internal and external sovereignty. Internally, the state has the right to order the behaviour of its citizens and associations in all respects and externally, sovereignty implies the right of the state to act out its desired role in international relations. The right to secure the goals of national interest by the use of national power got recognised as the supreme power of the nation.
2. Nationalism as the Philosophy of Nation
The nation was considered fortified with the philosophy of nationalism. In fact the rise of the nation was accompanied by the rise of nationalism. Nationalism grew steadily to advocate an identification of the individual with the state. On one hand nationalism produced several conflicts and on the other it led to the birth of a strong movement among dependent people to gain independence from imperialism and colonialism.
The rise of nationalism was also accompanied by the emergence of aggressive nationalism in international relations which acted as a big reason for the outbreak of wars among nations. Nationalism came to be a key element in the emergence and working of the nation state system in international relations.
3. Territorial Impermeability of the Nation
The nation came to be conceptualised as a territorial institution. The chief responsibility was the protection of the people living within its boundaries. Territoriality became responsible for making the nation internally pacified and defensible units. Further territoriality also gave strength to the concepts of Sovereignty and Nationalism. Prevention of territorial unity and integrity of the state became the most important part of nationalism and sovereign right of the nation.
4. Legal Equality of all Nation
The nations of the world came to be recognised as equal sovereign nations respective of their sizes, populations, economic resources, military capabilities etc. international law recognised all nations as equal sovereign entities with equal status and rights.
This article on Rise of the Nation in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.