The continuing relevance of the nation state?

1
The continuing relevance of the nation state?

• Introduction Evolution of political systems
  Explanation of change I Explanation of Change
  II External pressures for change European
  rescue of the nation state?

2
Introduction

• Increasing integration in Western Europe fall
  of Communism in Eastern Europe
• Logic of systems as models
• Will the differences between nation states
  persist?

3
Evolution of political systems

• 1950 - 1965
• End of ideology, apathy. Stability seen as due
  to lack of conflict
• Continuity legitimacy Characterisation of
  post-industrial society, especially UK, West
  Germany France

4
Evolution of political systems

• 1965 - 1980
• Rejection of political authority questioning
  relationship between politics society. Erosion
  of legitimacy
• Demands for autonomy decentralisation New
  parties new social movements. Social disorder.

5

• 1980 1990
• Crisis of welfare state (West) and Communism
  (East)
• 1990 -
• New politics of Europe End of the nation state?
  Reassertion of democracy?

6
Explanation of change I Political sociology

• Looks for sources of political phenomena in
  society structuralism
• Societies have differences which seem relevant in
  explaining political behaviour
• Social structure creates opportunities for action
  but doesnt determine behaviour

7
Explanation of change II Institutionalism

• Politics has a logic of its own, expressed in
  institutions
• Institutions have a life of their own, maintained
  through intergovernmentalism
• Institutions need to be placed in context of
  relevant social factors

8
External pressures for change

• Phil Cerny, The Changing Architecture of
  Politics From the welfare state to the
  competition state
• Kenichi Ohmae The Rise of the Region State
• Globalisation

9
European rescue of the nation state?

• Should continue to look at
• Divisions in society e.g. class, race
• Institutions as decision-makers
• Implementation of policy
• Social structure, the party system
  organisation of government
• Mechanism for influence (e.g. electoral systems)
  autonomy (e.g. regionalism)