Should the world be organized into sovereign, territorial nation-states?

Think of the world today, a conglomerate of nations, cultures, languages, and much more. As one counts down the list of kingdoms, republics, democratic nations, principalities, and other nation-states, one common theme arises: each nation-state claims, recognized or unrecognized by the United Nations, has or claims to have it’s own sovereign territory and authoritative government. In plain terms, the world is already organized into sovereign, territorial nation-states. However, some sovereign nation-states have small factions within them that desire for their own independence and sovereignty. Over the course of history, many nations have experienced ongoing conflict with these other nations about the boundaries of their own territory. Thus, this system, which has become the means of organization within our Earth, continues to endure conflict. In questioning the future of the organization of our states, I feel that cultural conflict is inevitable therefore; we should continue to evaluate the need to separate states that desire freedom in order to express their own individual cultural identities.

Nation-states around the world desire to retain their sovereignty. Currently, unrecognized territories and autonomous regions around the world consider themselves capable, powerful and feel they have sufficient authority and autonomy over the people and land they claim. Take, for example, the reorganization of the Soviet Union since 1991. Specifically in Azerbaijan, a disputed piece of land called Nagorno-Karabakh considers itself sovereign. Declaring its independence in 1992, the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh Republic remains unrecognized by both Azerbaijan and the international community. Culturally, Karabakh considers itself different from Azerbaijani culture. This difference alone suggests that the people should desire for their own state. Additionally, consider the Basque region along the north coast of Spain. Politically, the Basque Country is an autonomous region of Spain. This indicates that it is capable of handling it’s own government. The Basque lifestyle differs significantly from that of its Spanish brethren. While the media portrays the Basques as militant terrorists, if one looks into the deep Basque desire to be independent, it becomes clear that they simply desire to govern themselves.

As we progress into the future, a continued need will emerge. This continued need shows that people all have their own values and desires to the way their nation-states should be run. If an unrecognized country desires to be independent from the current governing body it stands under, I feel it should. Culturally, it would be to the benefit of each respective nation. Sovereignty can be defined as the combination of capability, power, authority and autonomy. The latter two are inherent with surging cultural feelings and as time progress the former two will inevitably emerge.