nation-state system

nation-state system

the territorial division of the modern world into a network of ‘national political communities’ or NATION STATES, replacing the previous pattern of simple societies and imperial systems. This worldwide contemporary system of nation states (which originally derives from the Western European state-system which grew up in connection with ABSOLUTISM) has a number of decisive implications, above all, the crucial role of WARFARE, or its threat, in shaping the modern world. See also INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, SOVEREIGNTY, NATIONALISM, STANDING ARMY, IMPERIALISM, CLAUSEWITZ, STRATEGIC THEORY, ARMS RACE, COLD WAR, INTERSOCIETAL SYSTEMS.