Max Weber, a forefather of modern science, created the modern definition of a state. Weber believed that a state was a, “community that claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.” The state creates a legitimate means for the use of force, or the right to use violence within the state or to another state. Very simply put it is the domination of men over men by legitimate means. From this concept, Weber determined politics to be the striving to share power or influence the distribution of power with a state or among groups within a state. This is a good point especially when one considers how a political official has a great deal of influence on how power is distributed throughout a government. In order for those in a position of power, such as political officials, there must be a just cause by which the dominated submit themselves to authority (Weber 1958). Weber explains that there are three different types of legitimized authority. The first authority that Weber describes is the authority is rooted in the ancient ritual and tradition to conform to the principle authority of forefathers (Weber 1958). This is exemplified in the form of patriarchy and an inherited authority. England is an exceptional example of this because while many European nations had monarchy authority in their history, England still recognizes the royal bloodline and has a monarchy. While the position of the monarchy within the government has changed from commander and chief to the chief of state, England holds onto this authority by which they legitimize their state. The second form of authority, Weber refers to as “gift of grace”. The concept of this authority is that the legitimacy comes from a certainty in a re... ... middle of paper ... ...ng case for why nationalism will lead to a great clash of civilization. Nationalism has done so much in the last century to strengthen individual states as well as interstate relations. The countries of Europe all have very different and unique cultures and strong nationalism yet since WWII they have develop good interstate relationship through the development of the European Union and have the Euro, a unified currency. Many states throughout the global have been able to engage in peaceful economic agreements and treaties. What makes the global community was wonderful and effective is the different cultures and mindset being used in combination to find the most creative and effect method of international relations. Without nationalism every state would eventual look and function the same and there would no longer be any competitive push to be better or to improve.
Nationalism has been a potent force for change since the development of human civilization. However, opinion about the extent to which nationalism may be appropriately pursued is highly diverse, a factor that has led to immense tragedy and suffering in countless regions worldwide. While it is both appropriate and sometimes encouraged to take pride in being part of a nation, it is of the utmost importance that it is done without harming or subjugating people of another. Uniting a people by force and potentially eliminating or destroying those who may oppose it or not belong to it is unacceptable ethically, morally, and socially.
Throughout the years, humans have constructed many unique civilizations; all which follow a distinct social, economic, and political structure. Even so, there is one characteristic that prevails among these societies, the concept of nationalism. In short, nationalism refers to the feelings people have when identifying with their nation. This simple notion possesses the ability to divide or unite collective groups, and has played an important role in many historical events.
There are two countries that flourish due to Nationalism, Germany and Italy. The creation of Germany was possible through nationalism. Nationalism brought German community to unify and create a nation. On the other hand, the rivalry of the great powers to control other territories grew more as countries were wanting to influence past their borders. “The great powers had come into conflict over spheres of influence in China and over territories in Africa, and the Eastern Question, created by the decline of the Ottoman Empire, had produced several disturbing controversies.”(“World War I” 2015) Militarism was another aspect of these ideologies where countries would increase military spending to get new weapons and increase the military size. This gave people the idea that war was the only solution to their problems and also intensified nationalism because it increased their confidence in the military, thinking their country could win any battle against any foe. “Imperialist and nationalist, resulted in a hardening of alliance systems in the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente and in a general armaments race.(“World War I”
Legitimation refers to people’s beliefs about political authority and the ability to defend these beliefs with justification. The three main sources of legitimacy are typically understood as acceptance of authority and the need to obey its commands. People have faith in political or social order because it has been there for a long time (tradition), have faith in the rulers (charisma), or trust its legality, specifically the rationality of the rule of law (rational) (Weber 1990 [1918]; 1964). Whilst legitimacy is constantly evolving due to current perceptions of society; texts such as ‘Oedipus the King’ (Sophocles) and ‘The Apology’ (Plato) that date back to fifth century BCE explore the notion of traditional, charismatic, and rational legitimation in a comparative way.
The rise of European nationalism in the 19th Century brought with it an overabundance amount of change that would definitively modify the course of history. The rise of nationalism in one country would rouse greater nationalism in another, which would in turn, motivate even greater nationalism in the first, progressively intensifying the cycle that eventually concluded in a World War. Nationalism as an ideology produced international competition which inspired absolute allegiance to an individual’s nation state. The ideology was fueled by industrial commerce and imperialistic developments which led to nation-states pursuits of outcompeting rival nations.
Although some have said that "nationalism is measles of humankind", in my opinion, it is not. Nationalism has led to the growth of identities, and innovations. These reasons influence us in so many good ways that we should embrace nationalism to a great extent. Although at the same time I believe that we shouldn't embrace it to the extent of where we hurt others.
The question then becomes, what did nationalism lead to? It quickly led to war. Once certain phrases became apparent in society, such as “foreign contrivances” and “most intolerable of human beings”, they were bound to accelerate in severity. Many years later, Adolf Hitler contrived some of his arguments and beliefs from Fichte.
...powerful forces in binding people together, nationalism is a powerful force capable of inducing people to act collectively, share burdens, and even make sacrifices for the nation’s common good. As a result, it promotes the stability of democracies.
The rise of nationalism and its mark on the history of Europe was quite profound. The unification of major powers and the civil unrest on the journey to unification created a large chapter of history in the nineteenth century. By the 1900s the mark of nationalism had been left on Italy, Germany, France and Great Britain. The major European powers had come through great trials to set the stage for the twentieth century and the conflicts that will erupt. Nationalism will be remembered as a great period of change and growth.
A logical starting point in an investigation of legitimate government would seem to be an account of the original purpose of government. Problems arise, though, in discovering this original purpose; any and all attempts seem to consist of mere speculation. Government is a social convention created by man.* It is doubtful whether or not there can ever be an empirically accurate account of the creation of government. Without this crucial information, a search for the original purpose of government appears futile. I had once thought that an account of human nature may provide insight into this enigma; I now believe that it is equally doubtful that there can be a true account of human nature. So where does this leave the political theorist?
... be used to promote one’s status. An influential politician, for example, has a lot of power not because he has money, but because his decisions impact society at large and play a very important role in governing the lives of others. Weber notes that although bureaucratic rationalization has disenchanted the world and its endurance seems inevitable, the spirit has not been completely eradicated. Weber believes that as an advanced society we cannot escape the pattern of rational rules and laws. However, he allows for the arrival of prophets or charismatic people from time to time, those who exhibit good rational administration skills as well as heart and passion. While offering no clear solution, Weber leaves us with an optimistic hope for the future and inspiration, perhaps, to emulate those extraordinary leaders of our time.
Nationalism, the love and support of one's country, has always existed. In this era, however, it was to take part in the creation of one of the most famous wars in history. Since so much pride was devoted to countries, it made the possibilities of peace between past rivals less probable. It also meant that most nations, especially the great powers, would rather fight a war than back down from a rival's diplomatic provocation. In effect, nationalism was also a contributing factor to the alliance system. No country feels comfortable being in a war alone, and with the growing militaries in almost every country, allies provided much comfort.
Politics is the means for attaining valued things. Although, valued things are different in every society, the means of securing those things has never changed. The competition for power, authority and influence will always be the backbone of politics. Applying power, authority and influence to the valued things that support the public good, will produce the quality of life a society desires. In the present day, citizens in the United States demand certain valued things such as welfare, education, safe streets and healthcare. Through politics, citizens can apply their power in many different ways to get the things they want. Power is the ability to get someone to do something they may or may not want to do. Through the use of or the application of coercion, persuasion, manipulation and negotiation, power is used to influence the system.
The nation-state has developed quite recently, prior to the 1500s in Europe the nation-state did exist because they didn’t know much else other than the village in which they came from. The term nation-state means a form of political origination in which a group of people who share the same history, traditions or language line in a particular are under one government. But the term the nation-state is much more than that, the hyphen in the middle of the term is what links them. The nation-state has four components which are territory which can also mean land and area. The second component are the population or people, the third is the government and the fourth component is Sovereignty, supreme power or authority to govern itself
When power becomes legitimate, it is then recognized as authority (Denhardt et al, 2001). Power becomes authority when it is accepted and even desired by society. As stated by the course study notes, “authority refers to a situation where a person (or group) has been formally granted a leadership position”. An individual has authority when everyday norms and regulations support the exercising of power by that individual. In an organizational setting, “authority is hierarchal and vested in positions” (Week 9 Study Notes), which are defined by “organizational charts, positions and rules” (Week 9 Study Notes). Generally, power in authority also involves the possibility of rewards such as promotions and good performance reviews.