This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
The module draws from comparative politics, international relations, and political thought to analyse the past, present, and future of the democratic national state, the dominant form of political system in today's world. It addresses questions such as: Why are some states federal and others unitary? What explains the resilience of nationalism? Does economic integration leads to political disintegration? Why has regional integration gone much further in Europe than elsewhere? Is multi-national democracy possible? The module first charts the emergence of the modern state and its transformation into a national and democratic form of political system. Subsequently, it explores some key aspects of the formation, structuring, restructuring, and termination of states such as the unitary/federal dichotomy, processes of devolution, the challenge of secession, the question of the connections between the economic environment and the number and size of states, the phenomenon of supra-state regional integration, and the connections between nationality and democracy. It concludes by assessing the challenges facing the democratic national state in the 21st century and their likely trajectory in the foreseeable future.
Private Study: 178
Contact Hours: 22
Total: 200
This module is available to all students on MA programmes within the School of Politics and International Relations.
It is also available as an elective module
Quiz 20 questions covering core readings over the term, 15%
Essay 1, 2000 words, 35%
Essay 2, 3500 words, 50%
Reassessment methods: 100% coursework
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Apply the concepts, theories, methods of comparative politics to the study of the connections between statehood, nationality, and democracy
2. Identify the main factors that account for the historical rise of the modern state as the dominant form of political organisation
3. Understand the process through which the modern state has acquired national and democratic characters
4. Understand the main aspects of the process of state formation, structuring, restructuring, and termination across space and time and their connections with nationality and democracy
5. Identify the key contemporary challenges to the democratic national state and their likely future trajectory.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
