After the nation-state - Mathew Horsman

What are the political and economic forces for change worldwide, and who will address and manage that change? Does the nation-state still have a role? This book attempts to answer these questions.;The authors trace the birth of the nation-state, its swift rise, and its expansion from Europe to the new nations of America, Asia and Africa. They argue that the nation-state has now reached a point of crisis as a form of political, economic and social organization, with the result that the world is likely to experience a period of growing tensions and instability.;Whilst a limited control will be retained over more local issues, in other areas control will have to be forfeited. Consequently, nationalism and tribalism will find themselves in competition - this is bound to affect the relationship of citizens to states, and hence the character of nationalism itself.;Drawing on an analysis of the nation-state and its past and future rivals, this book argues that the time has come for a reappraisal of the nation-state's role. It concludes that the 21st century will be about running capitalism and managing tribalism - the tension between the two will be the hallmark of international politics in the decades to come.