What makes a Nation-State? Nation: –Group of tightly knit people –Common language –Common history –Similar ethnicity –“National Spirit” – emotional commitment to the state and what it stands for

Nation-State A political unit comprising a clearly defined territory and inhabited by a large population who considers themselves a nation, sufficiently organized to possess power, with emotional and other ties expressed through legal institutions, political systems, and ideological strength.

Divisive and Unifying Forces Centrifugal Forces – forces that are disunifying or divisive Religious, Racial, regional conflicts can be centrifugal forces

Divisive and Unifying Forces Centripetal forces – forces that tie the state together, unifying or strengthening it –A real or perceived external threat –A charismatic leader

International Cooperation 3 principles that make international cooperation plausible 1. Complimentarity 2. Transferability 3. Intervening Opportunity

Complimentarity – one area has a surplus of a commodity that a second area demands Transferability – the ease of which the commodity can be transported (logistics and distance) Intervening Opportunity – trade will only develop if there is no closer or more reasonable source of supply

Population Implosion When a population urbanizes, average family size declines. Spain & Italy recorded below 1.3 births per woman Italy: the first society in world history to have more 60+ year olds than 20 or less year olds.