POLSC101: Introduction to Political Science

4.1: What is a State?

• Boundless Sociology: “Chapter 15, Section 2: Government and the State: Functions of the State” Page

  Observe that one of the key defining features of a state is the concept of “sovereignty.” States are sovereign if they are not dependent on or subject to the power of any other state. As we’ll learn in Unit 6, this characteristic of a state was established in 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia and is especially critical when discussing international relations.

• Boundless Sociology: “Chapter 15, Section 2: Government and the State: Characteristics of the State” Page

  This reading defines some important terms in political science. After competing this reading, you should be able to define and identify:

  • A state
    
  • Sovereignty
    
  • Nation
    
  • Civil society
    

• Wikipedia: "Nation state" URL

  Read the introductory paragraphs and “Definitions” section. In everyday life, people usually use the words, “state” and “nation” interchangeably, but in political science, those terms have very different meanings. States are political entities; nations are cultural entities. A nation-state exists when state and nation coincide. What do you think happens when there is a mismatch between state and nation?