Essential Characteristics:
* Defined Territory: A nation-state has clearly defined borders and a specific area of land it controls.
* Sovereignty: The nation-state has supreme and independent power within its territory, meaning it is not subject to any higher authority.
* Population: A nation-state is comprised of a population of people who share a sense of identity and belonging.
* Government: A nation-state has a centralized government that exercises authority and makes laws for its citizens.
Additional Defining Features:
* National Identity: A shared sense of national identity often based on common language, culture, history, and values. This can be a strong unifying force but also lead to exclusion and conflict.
* Citizenship: Individuals within a nation-state typically have rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship, such as voting, paying taxes, and serving in the military.
* Legitimacy: A nation-state typically derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed, either through elections or other forms of popular participation.
* Monopoly on Force: The nation-state holds the exclusive right to use force within its territory. This is important for maintaining order, enforcing laws, and protecting its borders.
* International Recognition: Other nation-states must recognize the existence and sovereignty of a new nation-state for it to be considered legitimate on the world stage.
It's important to note:
* Not all nation-states perfectly meet these characteristics. Some may be more developed than others in certain areas, while some may face internal conflict or challenges to their sovereignty.
* The concept of a nation-state is a modern invention, and its development has been a complex and often violent process.
* The concept of a nation-state is constantly evolving, with new challenges and tensions arising in the modern world.
Overall, the defining characteristics of a nation-state are a combination of tangible features, like territory and government, and intangible ones like national identity and legitimacy. These characteristics are intertwined and constantly interacting, shaping the complex and evolving nature of the nation-state in the modern world.