The State, the Nation, and Nationalism

The state is the primary actor in global politics, yet "state," "nation," and "country" are often used loosely as if they were the same thing. Precise study requires separating them. This lesson defines statehood, distinguishes the state from the nation, and examines nationalism as one of the most powerful forces in modern history.

What makes a state?

In international law the standard criteria for statehood come from the Montevideo Convention of 1933. It identifies four elements: a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. An entity that possesses all four has the objective attributes of a state. The convention also endorses the declaratory theory of recognition, which holds that statehood exists as a matter of fact