Interstellar Relations, Monday, 5th Period

[hera_rises]

The lights were dimmed as students entered the room and signed in. Professor Roslin sat at her desk, a laptop computer angled off to her right. The most immediately visible item, however, was the large plasma screen with the accompanying SmartBoard, illuminated behind her. Closer inspection showed that the image on the board was simply a larger

Comments

Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[hera_rises]

What is a state, and how do we define it? What is the difference between a state and a nation? Is there a difference?

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[cat_in_the_box]

"A state is tied to a specific place," Schrodinger ventured. "You can have a nation witout a state, say, a nation of displaced Germans. But you can't have a state without a nation.

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[hera_rises]

"Which is really, at least here, more of a twentieth-century construct. It wasn't until after -- World War I, was it? -- that international policy began looking more fully at redrafting political boundaries in occupied territories according to percieved nations."

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[mparkerceo]

"A state is a system; a nation is a people. Most often by common genetic heritage, although in the case of the US, by choice, those who make common cause and abide by a common set of rules and laws." Parker frowned. "Nation-state gets used when the two concepts are synonmous, but they aren't always."

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[hera_rises]

"Hit the nail on the head, I think the saying is." Laura smiled. "Thank you, Parker."

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[mparkerceo]

Parker grinned, happy she did the reading, and said, "Thanks."

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[notcalledlizzie]

"A state is a self-governing political entity," began Elizabeth. "It has a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force, as argued by Max Weber, although if the government -- such as in the USA -- doesn't have absolute authority, then it may not have an absolute monopoly. We don't because of the second ammendment.

There are three main contemporary theories of state; Marxism, Pluralism and Institutionalism.

"Nations have a shared people, who have uniformity and homogeneity. They share the same language and culture and often religion. Stalin also included territory, economic life, and psychological make-up in his definition of a nation. You can have a nation without a state."

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[once_a_king]

Peter totally didn't grin with amusement at Elizabeth and give her a tiny salute.

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[hera_rises]

"Or, in the case of Stalin and the Soviet Union, you can have many nations held at gunpoint under one state, whether or not there is a tradition to support it." She grinned at Liz. No wonder she wanted to run for president.

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[grenfelzer]

"A state is an area of land with definite borders. A nation is a group of people with a shared cultural history." Carmela says, hoping she's got at least part of it right.

Re: Discussion: States, Nations, Recognition

[hera_rises]

Roslin nodded. "Partially correct. A state incorporates not only the land and borders, but also the government system that provides order, leadership, and rule of law."