Original scientific paper

NATION AS POLITICAL UNITY

Josef Isensee ; Rheinschen Friedrich Wilhelms Universität Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland

Abstract

The revival of the nation has shocked German intellectuals who think that the nation-state is historically obsolete and that new models should be upheld: the united Europe, a world community of responsible states, globalisation of markets, a universe of human rights. The contrary tendencies in today’s world are marked by giving up on huge political entities which have been replaced by smaller nationality-based states. It seems that political freedom leads to the formation of nation-states based on democratic constitution. This process requires looking into the relation between the nation-state and democracy. The key for the explanation of their relationship can be found in the notion of nation. Citizenship mediates between the people (in its real manifestation as a social group), and democracy as a constitutional principle. It gives to the state as a personal entity legal structure on which to build a democratic form of the state and guarantees legally applicable taxonomies and limitations.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

31201

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/31201

Publication date:

6.12.1999.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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