What is a Nation-State? Social Studies 20-1 Chap 1 (Part 2)

Let’s put two definitions together Nation - a group of people who have shared experiences in history, geography, language, customs, politics and religion. State -A self-governing political community occupying its own territory with a population, and having its own sovereignty (independence) When a nation achieves the status of independence in a definable territory with its own government, we can say that the nation has achieved Nationhood

What is a sovereign (independent) state? Has space or territory which has internationally recognized boundaries Has people who have live there on an ongoing basis Has economic activity and an organized economy. A country regulates foreign trade and domestic trade and issues its own money. Has the power of social engineering, as in education.

Has a transportation system for moving goods or services. Has a government which provides public services, infrastructure and policing power. Has sovereignty - that no other state should have power over the country’s territory. Has external recognition. A country has been “voted into the club” by other countries – these could be into international organizations such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations or the National Olympic Committee

Nation State Defined borders and territories Same type of people exist Organized by race or background Generally speaks a common “official” language

Canada and United States From this strict definition it’s easy to see that Canada and the United States are by loose definition Nation-States because both contain: Multiple ethnicities Numerous religious practices Different cultural norms

Canada and United States Even though citizens of Canada and the US share the same border and territory, they do not, in the sense of the nation-state, share a common nationality. (the United Nations recognizes Canada and the United States as “Nation States”)

Who is a Nation State? Most countries do not completely fall within the definition of the technically true nation-state, since most countries have immigrants. Ideal Nation States Iceland Japan North Korea