Modern Nation-state System: Challenges & Prospects

Abstract

Peace of Westphalia (1648) not only created the modern nation-state system in Europe but also stipulated the basic rules of statecraft. Despite all the criticisms about its Western origins, the concept of state and nation took firm roots in most parts of the world, thanks to colonialism. However, it is now facing an existential challenge from four different sources

This article discusses these four sources namely globalisation, decentralisation, sub-nationalism, and regional groupings. It then discusses the…