The Development Of Nation-states In The System Of International Relations

As the main body of international relations, nation-state is the outcome of history. With the appearance and development of capitalism, many factors such as politics, economy, technology and religion combined together and influenced each other, which accelerates the development of nation-state. Peace of Westphalia is a milestone in the history of nation-state, it established the principle of sovereignty for the first time and adapt the development trend of history. The establishment and development of nation-states experienced four systems: Westphalia system, Vienna system, Versailles-Washington system and Yalta system. Each has different characteristics. Three main factors which influence the development of Nation-states are economy, sovereignty and nationalism. Economy is the foundation while technology is the essential impetus for the development of nation-states. Sovereignty is the core of nation-states as well as one of the basic principles of international law. Nation-states keep struggling for their independence and maintenance of sovereignty. At the same time, sovereignty has to meet many challenges in the conditions of globalization. Nationalism is another important promotion for nation-state and has played a significant role in most great activity in the process of world history. However, nationalism is a double-edged sword, we should take it sensibly. In the globalized times, Nation-states face various difficulties and challenges; meanwhile, due to the effect of old international political and economic order, there exists developmental gap among every nation-state. Establishment and development of nation-state is according to the trend of history, and the model of nation-state will be the target toward which modern nations make efforts on politics.