The state and the nation

The Meaning of State

A state may be defined as an organized group of people living permanently in a defined geographical area with a sovereign government. A state may also be defined as a body of people with a legitimate government which has total control over its territory without external interference. Therefore, a state in this context does not imply sub-components of a state such as Delta, Edo, Lagos, etc., as we have in Nigeria. However, the U.S.A, Germany, Nigeria, Ghana, Britain, etc., are examples of states.

The Characteristics of a State

Below are some features of a state:

1. Comprehensive authority: This implies that the state has power to impose unconditional sanctions within its jurisdiction.
2. Inescapability of membership: No citizen of any state can be excluded from membership of the state.
3. Definite territory: A state must have a defined territory with internationally recognized external boundaries.
4. Definite population: The real subjects of the state as distinct from aliens must be known.
5. Government: A state must have a government of its own identified through a set of persons and institutions, which make and enforce laws for the territory.
6. Independence: A state must be sovereign, which must be so recognized by other states. In other words a state must have supreme legal control over all its affairs.
7. Nationalism: The conscious development of the spirit of love and loyalty for one’s state enables the state to survive.

The Nation

The Meaning of a Nation

Nation as a concept in government refers to a body of people who are united either by a common culture, race, language, values and ties, and sometimes common political aspirations. It is different from a state because it is not compulsory that a nation must be under a unique sovereign government, e.g., the Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri nations of Delta State. Furthermore, it is not compulsory that a nation must be with a definite territory.

The Attributes of a Nation

1. Geographical unity:This implies the existence of a common home land which helps in developing national sentiments.
2. Language:This means that members of a nation speak a common language.
3. Community race:This relates to the peculiarity of the composition of nations.
4. Community religion:This entails the uniqueness of the belief system of each nation.

The Relationship between a State and Government

There is an obvious relationship between a state and government. This is visible in the fact that there is no government without the existence of a state. A state will go into extinction without a government to harness and control its human and natural resources. On the other hand, without a state there will be no government, because it is the state which gives birth to the government.

EVALUATION

1. (a) Define a state.

(b) State five (5) characteristics of a state.

(c) Describe the relationship between the state and the government.

2. (a) What is a nation?

(b) State three (3) attributes of a nation.