Modern state

Modern state-
• The idea of modern state reflects the idea of ‘nation-state’.
• It essentially means one state, one nation. Every state must have a
nation.
• The idea of modern state is often based on the idea of ‘right to self
determination.
• The idea of right to self determination says that every state has its
rights to choose its own political destiny.
Birth of the modern state-
• There were revolutions in Europe and America in the 19th and 20th
century. That led to the formation of the ideas of democracy and
nationalism.
• For instance, the American revolution led to the formation of
nationalism in America and the French revolution led to the birth of
the ideas of democracy.
• So, the idea of nationalism and democracy play a big role in the
emergence of the modern state.
• The modern state also replaced the absolute monarchy.
Modern state-contd.
-Earlier there were various forms of states which are quite different
from the modern state.
Tribal state-
-Earlier, there were tribal states in which power was at the hands of
tribal chiefs. The tribal elders formed the council to advise the chief.
-But there were intertribal warfare.
-it is also argued that tribal state was never a state in the real sense as
it lacked the basic necessities to be a state.
Modern state-contd.
-Greek city states-
-each city state had its well governed-small government.
-it was a form of direct democracy. Every citizen took part in the
administration of the city state.
-but there was slavery; city states kept fighting each other.
-city states were confined to themselves, Greeks did not look beyond
the city states.
Modern state-contd.
• Feudal state:
-there were feudal states in which king was at the top, then the nobles
and the serfs at the bottom.
-In feudal system, the serfs rendered service to the lords and the lords
in return provide protection for the serfs.
-there was decentralization of powers in feudal system.
-but king was weak and the feudal lords were more powerful. They
turned their private armies against the king.
Modern state-contd.
• Absolute Monarchy
• The system of absolute monarchy was there in Europe.
• The nation state replaced the absolute monarchy with lots of
revolutions.
• Those revolutions were based on the democratic ideals which are the
foundation of the modern state.
Characters of the modern state-
1. Ultra sense of nationalism.
-modern states have the ultra sense of nationalism. They are highly
nationalistic. They try to show their superiority against others.
-so, they often engage in bloody wars. The first and second world wars
are the examples.
2. Imperialism.
-modern states in Europe practice imperialism in throughout the world.
-they talk about democracy and equality; but they practice imperialism.
-they established their colonial rules in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Characters-contd.
3. Ideologies and governments-
-modern states adopt various ideologies and forms of government.
-modern states follow different ideologies.
-modern states also practice democratic government, communist govt.,
presidential form of government and so on.
4. Sophisticated state machinery-
-modern state has the state machinery which is highly sophisticated. Modern
states has three organs, and besides, there are bureaucracy, army, police,
committees etc.
-various political parties, pressure groups, media are very vibrant.
Post modern state-
• The idea of post modern state emerges as the reaction against the
modern state. The argument is that modern state possesses the
strong sense of nationalism which lead nations to various conflicts
and wars. Now with the advancement of science and technology,
people around the world is so well connected. It is globalized world
now and the space of the world is shrinking in terms of people to
people connectivity. And various problems are of more global today.
Thus, the idea of establishing a ‘world federation’ has evolved. The
point is that the presence of world federation can erase the bitter
tensions or rivalry among the nations. World federation can address
the problems of the nations efficiently.
Post modern state-contd.
• The idea of post modern state is that there will be a world government.
• But the establishing a world federation is a chimera as of now. Given the
complexities involved among the nations, it is not easy to establish a
world central government. Today, many nations are so assertive about
their rights. So, it is unlikely that they would share their national interest
with others and be a part of the world federation.
• World federation-all nations will form a world central government which
will regulate the external affairs and the domestic affairs will be left to the
individual nations. There will be common citizenship, common currency,
common tariff and defence etc. Prof. Harold Laski mooted such idea.