Blog #2: "Should the world be organized into sovereign territorial nation-states?"

Global organization is always changing, even if the changes are very slight. Where we were once nomads with no nation-states at all, we’ve evolved into a global order that only seems to recognize just that, nation-states. It is useful to have the world constructed in this way because it limits war and allows for a more organized global environment however there is also a need for a well-recognized communal meeting group.

Utilizing the nation-state approach to global organization limits the number of wars that are waged. Prior to the development of the nation-state, conflict was constant. During the age of the Roman Empire, in order to continue to gain wealth, wars were waged, “…military campaigns were constantly necessary…” (Opello & Rosow, 25) Military action was also taken to subdue the “barbarians” who once held their own land before being conquered. Also, during the feudal states prime, “…military campaigns were carried out against rival lords…” (Opello & Rosow, 42) Overall, wars were waged much more frequently prior to the adaptation of the nation-state.

The adoption of the nation-state also produces a more organized global order. Currently, nation-states allow for lands to be organized by boarders, thus eliminating the disorganization of constant back and forth conquering as well as fragmentation. This type of back and forth was common during the Roman Empire. Due to the empires constant need for new booty, “The expansion of [Rome]… was driven in good part because, to increase wealth, its economy needed additional land.” (Opello & Rosow, 23) the boarders were constantly shifting. Feudal states suffered a different fate of disorganization because of their structure; many feudal states became very fragmented due to subdivision of land. “Gradually, the large Germanic kingdoms, already fragmented into counties, became even more fragmented into a bewildering array of smaller kingdoms…” (Opello & Rosow, 39) The development of the nation-state created a more organized system because it includes the requirement of set boarders and reduces fragmentation.

This being said, it is also important for there to be a communal place for all people, whether from nation-states or tribes, to come together and communicate. The United States, for instance, does not recognize North Korea or Cuba as a nation-state but this should not stop us from trying to communicate and work past current world issues. By creating and supporting an environment like this, perhaps some of the greater world issues could be solved or worked through without the use of violence.

Nation-states make sense as a structure to use because it limits conflict and increases organization however just because the world is broken up into different nations does not mean that we should not communicate with others. The boarders created by nation-states should not stop communication no matter who’s on the other side.