Nation-states emerged during the Renaissance as political entities characterized by defined territorial boundaries governed by centralized authorities. They unified people with shared language, culture, customs, or ethnicity.
Related terms
Sovereignty: The authority of a nation-state to govern itself independently without interference from external powers.
Nationalism: A strong sense of identity and loyalty towards one's nation or ethnic group.
Centralization: The concentration of power in a single governing body within a nation-state.