Study and Discussion Question

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Can a nation be viewed monolithically? Or, in other words, can the state make coherent decisions based strictly on considerations of the national interest?
Nations can be viewed monolithically. For instance, the United States one dominant language, English, and is built on a capitalist system. Furthermore, in spite of Chine being ruled by a Han family, it is also built in a communist system. Despite these nations having diverse subgroups, most of the people associated with the principles of the nation. In essence, a nation must have aspects of monolithic if it aims at achieving cohesion among all groups. Most of the superpower nations are monolithic including Russia, Japan, US, and China. These nations have a high autonomy and capacity which enables them to maintain unity and order within and outside their borders (Genest 40). On the other hand, when a nation allows the state to become sovereign, and influence the interest of a nation, the nation is likely to have problems. Such circumstances are evident in nations such as South Africa, India, and Syria where certain groups of people resist against the government with the aim of establishing their power and dominance. As a result, such nations appear weak.
If the state and nation exist as separate entities, with the state having more legitimate power over the territories, the government can be viewed as weak. This is because the state has sovereignty on the decisions of national interests (Genest 60).

As a result, it becomes difficult to make coherent decisions in a nation. In such a situation, the state becomes the hierarchal point and not the central government. This would also lead to resistance because a state is singular while the central government is responsible for representing people in a nation. Therefore, a nation must be monolithic to prevent the intrusion of other colonies to take control over the nation. Moreover, monolithic would help maintain peace in a nation.
Work Cited
Genest, Marc A. Conflict and Cooperation: evolving theories of International Relations. Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2004. Pp. 39-122.