Some characteristics of modern nation state are a nation state serves as one having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, a particular nation and also as a territory; it is also a political and geopolitical entity. A modern nation state is also an ethnic and cultural entity which citizens share a common culture, language and values, their border is also defined by natural border. The nation state is a representation of national unity and is a place where the social concept of “nation” becomes one with the political concept of “state”
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A nation is a body of people who share a common history, religion, culture, language, identity, traditions and / or ethnic origin. A nation would typically inhabit a particular territory, country or region. The Kurds, which reside in northern Iraq and parts of Turkey; the Basque, which inhabit parts of northern Spain and southern France and the Palestinians are some examples of nations.
A state by definition is a sovereign entity (have independent authority), within a defined and specific territory or geographic area. A state does not necessarily rule a people with a common culture; it is merely a political concept. Yemen, Iraq and any state within the United Nations are all examples of states.
Nation-States as mentioned above are countries where the social concept of “nation” becomes one with or coincides with the political concept of “state”. A nation-state is a political unit consisting of an autonomous (self-governing) state inhabited predominantly by a people sharing a common culture, history, values and language. Examples of nation-states are France, and Israel.
The United States is a one territory comprising of multiple states. The United States government and the people of the United States have fought for years to achieve what today is a Nation-State governed by a common government.
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory or region. What is today referred to as the United States of America was once very independent states. States that were ruled by separate governing bodies. Years of hardship and war between states from one side against states from the other side led to widespread blood shed. Today, after many years of hardship the American people can be proud of a well deserved one nation-state governed by a single government with sovereign authority and power.
America had developed over the years a common culture. Many would debate multiculturalism, but I would argue that the acceptance to be different is itself a common culture of the American people. Among the common culture of the United States are Individualism, Capitalism, Modernism, Religiosity, Secularism, and Consumerism.
Two foreign policy objectives of the United States are firstly to protect the territorial integrity of the home country and secondly to protect the Territorial Integrity of Allies. A top foreign policy goal of this country is to protect the territorial integrity of the country from foreign attack. This extends way beyond the physical boarders. It also includes protecting their embassies and safeguarding their military forces stationed in or visiting other countries. The second foreign policy objective of the United States as is named in this document is to protect the Territorial Integrity of Allies. This policy ensures that the United States protect not only its own but also the territory of its allies. The rational in this policy is simply that if those that pledge to help and support us are attacked and either hurt or destroyed, then the aid to the United States in times of need would be greatly reduced making our people and territory more open and venerable target.
In an effort to unite the countries of Europe and to end the war between the neighboring countries the precursor to the European Union was established, this was after the Second World War in the 1940s. These nations began to unite in 1949 with the Council of Europe. The cooperation was expanded in the early 1950s with the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community. The nations involved in this initial treaty were Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. Today these six countries are referred to as the “founding members.”
During the mid 1950s, divisions between Eastern and Western Europe the Cold War and protests showed the need for further European unification. In order to accomplish this, the Treaty of Rome was signed on March 25, 1957, thus creating the European Economic Community. Over the following decades additional countries joined the community.
The European Union has four decision-making institutions; they are the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice. The member states of the European Union are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
The contemporary function of the European Union is to enable closer relations between the member states. This is done in order to maximize the potential of the collective abilities of these states, for example free trade, freedom of movement and freedom of job choice. It enables a lot of the beauracy that used to be involved with those issues to be by-passed. The European Union was also formed as a means of bringing balance to the position of the United States as the only global super power. The European Union does not belong to anyone, each member state has a say in the running of the organization. The European Union was formed mainly out of need for stability in Europe after the Second World War, and was a product of economic agreements, which continue form the main basis of today’s body.
Two foreign policy objectives of the European Union are firstly Decisive diplomacy. The Union will use what they describe as “soft power”. By this they mean to engage the use of diplomacy, backed where necessary by trade, aid and peacekeepers to resolve conflicts and bring about international understanding. Another foreign policy objective is Protection on the ground. The first European Union military missions were in the Balkans. From Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2005 to Afghanistan in 2007, and again in 2008 where a force of more than 3000 was stationed in border areas of Chad and the Central African Republic to protect refugees displaced by fighting in the Sudan. The European Union has proved its seriousness for ground protection of its interest.
According to the document “The European Union and the United States: Global partners, global responsibilities” The European Union and the United States of America hold regular presidential Summits to assess and develop transatlantic cooperation. They were formed as a result of the November 1990 transatlantic declaration which for the first time made formal the USA’s contacts with what was then the European Community. With the emergence of a European common foreign and security policy and the European security and defense policy, the European Union became an increasingly solid international partner in many areas. In addition, a joint response by the USA and Europe to a growing number of external challenges was needed. An example was their response to the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and of international terrorism that threatened the fragile peace process in the Middle East.
And so, on 3 December 1995, at the EU-US summit in Madrid, European Commission President Santer, Spanish Prime Minister Gonzalez, as President of the European Council, and President of the United States signed the new transatlantic agenda which provided for joint action in several fields, namely; democracy and development around the world, promoting peace and stability, responding to global challenges, contributing to the expansion of world trade and closer economic relations and building bridges across the Atlantic. This was a classic show of partnership between mainly the United States and the European Union that benefited the interest of both entities greatly.
References: “Is demilitarised Europe affecting operations in Afghanistan?” Reuters. March 1, 2010; Doyle, Leonard; McCarthy, Michael (November 20, 2008). “US in from the cold”. The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/obama-brings-us-in-from-the-cold-1026303.html.; “EU and US end banana war”. BBC News. April 11, 2001; http://www.canada-europe.org.
