Chapter 3
The Modern
State
Development of the Modern State
 Note: states did not always exist (see text for history
of how people organized themselves)
 By mid 19th century, states existed in North American
and Europe
 Colonialism spread concept and organization of
states by end of 19th century
Origin of State
 Commerce and industry needed organization such as
a state to develop and thrive
 Modern technology helped states grow and thrive
State & Public Goods
 Public Goods: a good that is nonrival and not
excluded from people; a good that benefits all and no
one can be prevented from using it
 Examples: Public healthcare and national defense
 Government can provide public goods (along with
other things too)
Nation vs. State
 Terms nation, state and country often used
interchangeably but in political science there are
different meanings
 Nation: A large group of people who share a common
culture; often common language important in
development of a nation (example: Nation of Islam)
Nation v. State
 State: a political unit; has ultimate responsibility for
conduct of its affairs (example: United States,
Canada)
 Politicians often want to relate nations and state
together to strengthen themselves—where
confusion of terms combine
Nationalism
 Nation: When person/people passionately identify
with a nation or a state as it relates to a nation
 A state can be a nation and a nation can be a state but
can be separate and a nation can cross borders
 Nation-state: when state is both
State-Building/Failed States
 State Building: creation of a new state organization
(example: Japan after WWII)
 Failed states: Attempts at states whose central
authority fails
Government
 Government is a critical component of the state
 Government has ultimate authority
 Unique group who can make decisions as long as has
legitimacy and authority
Autonomy
 When government and bureaucracy (those who
implement policy) are generally insulate from political
pressures of outside groups
Civil Society
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Part of society that is organized and active
Not organized by government
Not focused on private concerns
Deals with organizations that are concerned with
public questions not covered by government
 Examples: religious groups; hobby clubs; professional
groups
New organizational Alternatives to
State
 The United Nations
 The European Union
 Regional Trade Organizations
Why exist now?
New communications, changes in needs