Rahvusriigi

Rahvusriik, or nation-state, is a sovereign political entity whose citizens are united by a common national identity, language, or culture, and whose borders are intended to align with that national community. In political science, the term describes a state where the political unit corresponds to a nation or a culturally coherent community, with the aim of political self-determination grounded in that shared identity. However, the degree of alignment between nation and state varies, and most states include linguistic or ethnic minorities.

Two ideal types are often distinguished: the civic nation-state, where membership depends on legal citizenship and adherence to a constitution and laws; and the ethnic nation-state, where membership follows descent, language, or ethnicity. In practice, many countries blend elements of both, resulting in nations with sizable minority groups and policies aimed at integration or protection of minority rights.

Historically, the concept rose with modern nationalism in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries and gained prominence after World War I, when self-determination was promoted as a political principle. Nation-building efforts—through education, language standardization, and symbols—serve to foster social cohesion, yet have sometimes produced exclusion or pressure on minorities, and in some cases secessionist or ethno-cultural tensions.

In contemporary politics, globalization, migration, and supranational institutions challenge the purity of nation-states. Debates focus on assimilation versus multiculturalism, minority rights, language policies, and how to accommodate diverse populations without eroding national coherence.

While many scholars cite Japan, Iceland, and parts of the Nordic region as examples of relatively homogeneous nation-states, most states are plural in practice and continue to negotiate the balance between national unity and plural identities.