States are territorially defined political units that exercise ultimate internal authority and that recognize no legitimate external authority over them. Most people identify themselves politically by the state to which they belong. All states share the following characteristics: sovereignty, territory, population, diplomatic recognition, internal organization, and domestic support.

This chapter will explore different forms of state governance from authoritarianism to democracy and the extent to which these political systems ensure freedom and promote security. For example, does living in a democratic state give you assurance that war will never reach our shores? Is it possible for other countries around the world to adhere to the democratic ideal? Is it necessary that they do? Some of the activities in this chapter will help you assess the importance and validity of the traditional structure of the state.

This chapter and the next one examine two divergent roads that we can take toward politically organizing the world stage. This chapter will take up the traditional organization: the state. Then, chapter 7 will examine the alternative type of organization: international governmental organizations.

Explain the place of nationalism and the nation-state in today’s world where transnational and other structures and identifications are also increasing in scope and intensity. Define your own sense of international identity by completing a questionnaire.

Understand nationalism as the product of historical development by assessing the role of ethnonational groups around the world such as Kosovo, Iran, and Iraq.

Discuss why nationalism may be said to be both a cohesive and a divisive force by looking at ethnic beliefs and identity such as Buddhism in Tibet then commenting on various situations.

Identify and explain the ideal concept of nation-state and its relationship to nationalism by reviewing the growth of independent sovereign states on a map .

Learn more about the concept of nationalism by studying the material at selected Web sites.