Question

Reflect on our contemporary nation state and discuss how it is different from one of the other political systems we have been reading about- chiefdoms, bands (foraging groups), or early agricultural states. Does this political system give us more or less freedom? Is it based on distinctions of self and other- how? Is it right that we exclude and discriminate against people who are not considered part of our nation? How do we reconcile the fact that our nation values equality but practices inequality? Do you feel that the concept of the nation state will inevitably lead to conflict and war? Why or why not?

Answer 1

In the early agriculture state people could not enjoy political freedom and the economic freedom. There was no definite political system. People would be ruled by dictatorship. There was no democracy. People had to pay tax to the head of the community. People could not enjoy fundamental freedom. There ware no right of speech and education. People did not have the right of casting vote.

At that period people had no right to choose the ruler. They had no power to change system. They had to face many types of injustice. There was no centralized system to control law and order.

It is not right to discriminate or exclude people who are not included in our nation. In a nation culture depends on variety and diversity. From humanity point of view we should judge them and must be e peaceful coexistence of different types of people.

It is absolutely illegal to practice inequality when there is equality granted by the constitution. In such case Government policy must be in favor of all. The policy should not be confined on a particular religious community or race. There must be the interchange of culture. When there is the diversity of culture, then the existing culture is richer. Again the national policy must be secular and the Government must ensure the security of all.

The concept of state and nation already proved to be dangerous as we witnessed two World War. It spreads nationalism and nationalism is opposes internationalism. It demolishes brotherhood, friendship and good human relationship. For the origin of state and nation, racial prejudices, discrimination, competition of arms appear. It causes death of many innocent lives.