A Research About Nation-state Theory Of Anthony Giddens

Anthony Giddens is a famous British sociologist, political scientist, philosopher, known as the world’s most famous social thinkers. He has a very rich writing during his life, his research throughout the field of sociology, political science and philosophy. The Nation-State Theory is an important part of his entire academic research, it begins at emancipatory politics, which is the beginning of the modernity. With the development of modernity, especially the advent of globalization, risks and uncertainties coming to the Nation-State, the contradictions of the Nation-State appears. Giddens keenly observed this contradiction, and then reflect on the Nation-State theory, he proposed beyond modernity and "The Third Way" theory to solve the plight of the Nation-State. Throughout the Nation-State theory, it is a complete structure, rich content, significant theoretical system. Although Giddens emphasized that his Nation-State theory is aim at the Western world, but the value of this theory has already gone beyond the scope of it, and has some reference to the development of China.This paper is expansion from the following aspects. First, through the analysis and organize of the existing papers about Giddens’ Nation-State theory, summarize the deficiencies in the current studies and highlight the presence and importance of this theory. Meanwhile, from the perspective of vertical development and horizontal comparison to carding Giddens’ Nation-State theory, and then focus on the background, origin, connotations and characteristics. Second, in-depth analysis the contradictions of the Nation-State in Giddens’ theory:between Nationalism and Nation-State; Sovereignty and Violence; Democracy and Monitoring. Third, analysis the reflective proposition that aimed at those contradictions, which is mainly reflected in his life politics and "The Third Way" political theory. Fourth, according to the analysis and reflection of the Nation-State theory, probe the contributions and limitations of the theory, and pointed out the values to the development of Chinese Nation-State.