Nation-State in Comparative Perspective

Course Type	Course Code	No. Of Credits
Discipline Core	NSGA1DEG303	4

Course Coordinator : Dr. Kamal Kumar

Summary: Since the Greek period, the state has been an important political organisation. It travelled through different periods and acquired different forms over time. Nation-state was the most popular form of political organisation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and developed with great rapidity over that period. Modern nation-state has been observed as the formation of contemporary politics and often as indispensable to the maintenance of complex societies. This course focuses on studying the modern nation-state in its historical and conceptual variations. It will focus on how the state may be studied as a conceptual variable, how the concept of state has been historically emergent and specific, and how the modern nation-state has developed in various forms in history and contemporary contexts viz., the state in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The course also identifies certain themes like democracy, federalism, sovereignty, welfare, national security, citizenship and nationality, which are relevant for the comprehensive study of the concept of nation-state especially for etching out a common experience in the unfolding of state formation and practices of rule.

The course engages with some of the important questions such as; how does the term ‘nation-state’ differ from the terms ‘nation’ and ‘state’?, how did the nation-state become the primary organising structure of human societies?, what factors contributed to the development of the modern nation-state?, how did the nation-state evolve in Western and non-western social and political settings?, what are the impacts of globalisation on the nature and competence of the modern nation-state?, and, what factors pose a challenge to the domination of nation-state as the primary actor in the international arena? etc.

Objectives

To introduce the concept of the nation-state, its key elements and its historical journey over the period.
To understand the dynamics between the nation and nation-state, and its interaction with some of the major concepts like sovereignty, citizenship, welfare, democracy and international system among others.
To examine how the modern nation-state has developed in various forms in history and contemporary contexts.
To develop a sharper perspective on the transformation of the nation-state under the impact of globalisation and changing global order.

Learning Outcomes: On the successful completion of the course, the students would be able to

Grasp the evolution of the nation-state as a modern political organisation and demonstrate the knowledge of the different trajectories that the nation-state has followed in different countries.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the concept of the nation-state and its interactions with some key concepts like sovereignty, citizenship, welfare, democracy and the international system.
Acquire the skill set requisite for engaging with contemporary debates on the nature, significance, and role of the nation-state in the era of globalisation.

Overall structure:

Modules / Units	Duration (week)
Module I. The Concept of Nation-State: Meaning and Definition, Key Elements and Institutions, State and Nation, Development of the Modern Nation-State	3
Module II. Theories of Nation-State: Liberalism, Marxism, Feminism and Green Theory	3
Module III. Formation of Nation-States in Western and Non-Western Countries: Nation-State in Europe, Asia, and Africa	2
Module IV. Nation-State in a Comparative Perspective: Liberal and Welfare state, Capitalist State, Socialist State and Post-Colonial State	2
Module V. Globalization and the Contemporary Nation-State: Question of State Sovereignty, and Technology and Surveillance State	2

Essential Readings:

Andreas Wimmer, (2013), Waves of War: Nationalism, State Formation, and Ethnic Exclusion in the Modern World, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Chap 1: Introduction and Summary)
Algis Krupavičius, Vytautas Isoda and Tomas Vaišnoras, (eds.), (2013), Introduction to Comparative Politics, Kaunas: Vytautas Magnus University. (Chap 1: The State)
Rajeev Bhargava and Ashok Acharya, (2008), Political Theory: An Introduction, 2nd ed., Delhi: Pearson Education India. (Chap 11: The State and Chap 17: Nationalism)
Patricia J. Campbell, Aran MacKinnon, and Christy R. Stevens, (eds.), (2011), An Introduction to Global Studies, West Susses: Wiley-Blackwell. (Chap 2: Nation-State System)
David Held, (1982), “The Development of the Modern State”, in Stuart Hall and Bram Gieben, (eds.), Formations of Modernity, Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 71-126.
Patrick Dunleavy, (2012), “The State” in Robert E. Goodin, Philip Pittit and Thomas Pogge, (eds.), A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy, 2nd ed., Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 793-803.
Joel S. Migdal, (2009). “Researching the State”, in Mark Irving, Lichback and Alan S. Zukerman, (eds.), Comparative Politics: Rationality, Culture and Structure, 2nd ed., New York: Cambridge University Press, pp. 162-192.
A. W. Orridge, (1981), “Varieties of Nationalism”, in Leonard Tivey, (ed.), The Nation-State: The Formation of Modern Politics. New York: St. Martin’s.
Erika Cudworth, Tim Hall and John McGovern, (eds.), (2007), The Modern State: Theories and Ideologies, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. (Chap 3: Liberalism: the Pluralist State, Chap 4: Marxism: the State as a Real Illusion, Chap 9: Feminism: the Gendering of the State)
Annica Kronsell and Roger Hildgsson, (2022), “Green Theory”, in Colin Hay, Michael Lister and David Marsh (eds). The State Theories and Issues. 3rd., London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 145-166.
Nira Yuval-Davis and Floya Anthias, (1989), Women-Nation-State, New York: Palgrave Macmillan. (Chap 1: Introduction)
Carole Pateman, (1988), The Sexual Contract, Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 39-76.
Johanna Kantola, (2022), “Feminism”, in Colin Hay, Michael Lister and David Marsh (eds). The State Theories and Issues. 3rd., London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 130-144
Martin Doornbos and Sudipta Kaviraj, (eds.), (1998), Dynamics of State Formation: Europe and India Compared, London: Sage. (Chap 2: The Formation of Modern States in Europe and Chap 9: The Modern State in India)
Charles Tilly, (2010), “War Making and State Making as Organized Crime”, in Peter B. Evans, Dietrich Rueschemeyer, Theda Skocpol, (eds.), Bringing the State Back In, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 169-191.
Charles Tilly, (ed.), (1975), The Formation of Nation-States in Western Europe (Selections). Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University.
Thomas Ertman, (2005), “State Formation and State Building in Europe”, in Thomas Janoski, Robert Alford, Alexander Hicks and Mildred A. Schwartz, (eds.), The Handbook of Political Sociology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 367-383.
Huge Tinker, (1981), “The Nation-State in Black Africa” in Leonard Tivey, (ed.), The Nation-State: The Formation of Modern Politics. New York: St. Martin’s.
Richard Boyd, Tak-Wing Ngo, (eds.) (2006), State Making in Asia, New York and London: Routledge, pp. 1-30.
Midgal, Joel S., Atul Kohli and Vivienne Shue (eds.), (1994), State, Power and Social Forces: Domination and Transformation in Third World, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Chap 5: States and ruling classes in postcolonial Africa: the enduring contradictions of power and Chap 11: State power and social forces: on political contention and accommodation in the Third World)
Patrick Dunleavy, and O'Leary, (1987), Theories of the State: The Politics of Liberal Democracy, London: Macmillan.
Hamza Alavi, (1972), The State in Post-Colonial Societies: Pakistan and Bangladesh, New Left Review, No. 74, July-August.
Mahmood Mamdani, (1996), Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Colonialism, Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Ralph Miliband, (1969), The State in Capitalist Society, London: Wiedenfield and Nicholson.
Rod Hague and Martin Harrop, (2004), Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction, 6th ed., New York: Palgrave Macmillan. (Chap 2: The state in a global context)
Lane, David, (1976), Socialist Industrial State: Towards a Political Sociology of State Socialism, London: Allen and Unwin.
Lauterpacht Eli, (1997) “Sovereignty – Myth or Reality”, International Affairs, 73, No. 1 (Jan 1997), pp. 137-150.
Parikshit Thakur, (2024), “Globalisation and the Demise of Nation State”, in Nirmal Jindal and Kamal Kumar, Understanding Globalisation: Challenges and Prospects, Oxon and New York: Routledge, pp. 153-169.
Scholte Jan Arte, (2000), “Globalization and the State”, in Andrew Linklater, (ed.), International Relations: Critical Concepts in Political Science, New York: Routledge.
Mark Juergensmeyer, (2014), Thinking Globally: A Global Studies Reader, California: University of California. (Chap 11: The Erosion of the Nation-State)
Strange Susan, (1996), The Retreat of the State: The Diffusion of Power in the World Economy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Iris Marion Young, (2007), Global Challenges, War, Self Determination and Responsibility for Justice, Cambridge: Polity Press, pp.117-139. (Chap 6: The Logic of Masculinist Protection: Reflections on the Current Security State)
Robert Heynen and Emily Van Der Meulen, (2019), Making Surveillance States: Transnational Histories, London: University of London. (Chap 1: Understanding State Surveillance: Histories, Theories and Global Contexts)

Pedagogy:

Instructional design: This course will use lectures, presentations, group discussions and group presentations. It will also use relevant documentaries/movies to generate discussions in the class.
Special needs (facilities, requirements in terms of software, studio, lab, clinic, library, classroom/other instructional space; any other – please specify): Classroom with AV equipment and high-speed Wi-fi.
Expertise in AUD faculty or outside: This course will be offered by AUD faculty.
Linkages with external agencies (e.g., with field-based organisations, hospitals; any others): Not required.