The European Nation State: A Great Survivor
R. C. van Caenegem
Today Europe consists of a great number nation states – some large like Germany, small Latvia where nationhood coincides with statehood. This situation is the result political upheavals, such as Italian resorgimento and waning Ottoman Empire in nineteenth century, dismemberment Austro-Hungarian collapse Soviet Union Communist Yugoslavia twentieth century. The process still going on United Kingdom may one day be divided into three states, England, Scotland Ireland. author explores origins modern state after had passed through tribal feudal phases (fifth–twelfth centuries) role Church success late medieval monarchies, while making clear that also thwarted their ambition to achieve full sovereignty. finally wonders what encouraged European peoples independence national
European Review