yes. in fact they make even more sense today.  > wealth is generated through commerce, industrial production, and services more than agriculture or foreign conquest > most democratic states allow mostly open trade with other democratic states, are very unlikely to go to war against each other > transnational institutions can facilitate resolving regional issues and providing security without the need for a central, sovereign authority  > military technology favors the defender > secession allows for greater political stability since smaller nations allow for greater homogeneity and more effective political participation
United States