In the middle of a landmass in the Northern Hemisphere bordered by oceans, people call themselves Americans. According to both their own laws and broader international ones, they are members of a group known as a nation-state – in this case the United States of America.
The idea is the group shares common values, participates in a shared economic system and more or less agrees that its leader represents the group in international negotiations. But when did the concept of a nation-state first emerge? And is the political model on its way out? Host Frank Stasio speaks with experts about the past, present and future of the nation-state.
Joseph Grieco, professor of political science at Duke University, sets up the historical foundation of the state and explains how states derive their power.