A state is defined as the set of political institutions that create and enforce policy[1] which has the following[2]:
- a permanent population.
- a defined territorial boundary.
- an established government.
- the ability to enter into relationships with other states.
States have no ability to determine what is or isn’t a state, meaning that as soon as these requirements are met states are granted the rights and duties of a state[3]. All states are inherently equal, and therefore are afforded the same rights as other states, and no other state is capable of limiting the rights of other states[4] [5].
The terms nation and state are deeply intertwined in our modern world, resulting in the creation of a new term: nation-state[6].
Essentials of Comparative Politics With Cases: Sixth AP Edition pages 34-35 (O’Neil et al.) ↩
Article 1 – Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States ↩
Article 3 – Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States ↩
Article 4 – Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States ↩
Article 5 – Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States ↩
Nation and State – Nation-Building as Necessary Effort in Fragile States (pages 25-44) by René Grotenhuis ↩