The Problems with Westphalian Nation-State System

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We all associate ourselves with various identities such as Indians, Chinese, Pakistani, Americans, Canadians, French, British and much more. Why do you think we all associate with all these more? Are there any other identities which people associate with?  The identities which I mentioned before are relatively new compared to other identities such as religion, language, caste, and various other identities. It is not to say that people never had such feelings towards nations or the state. But the idea of loyalty and love for the motherland was very important which offset various other identities. The question we are arriving at is what is the motherland, who made and how it formed.  What we refer to today as a Nation or Country refers to what we know in political science as a Nation-State. Today almost all the countries we know are categorised Nation-States and some even as State-Nations. International Relations and Political Science suggest that states are the most important a...
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News capsule for the Fortnight- October (16th-31st)

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 Following are the top news for the fortnight (16-31).  If you wish to follow and get notifications of future articles, you can signup using the email on the left sidebar. 


Kerala 

  • Schools are set to open after a long break on November 1st which also happens to be Kerala day.
  • Massive rainfall and landslides kill many in the state. Flooding was reported in several parts of the state. 
  • Idukki, Edamalayar, Pampa, Kakki, Mullaperiyar Dams open due to water level reaching the capacity of the reservoir. 
  • NDRF team deployed in Aluva and banks of river Periyar. 
  • Kochi was declared as Dementia free-city. 
  • Movie theatres in the state opened after the second wave with 50% seating capacity. 
  • Kochi metro announces 50% off during non-peak hours amidst the cash crunch. 
  • Kerala CM announces that COVID-19 in the state is now under control as TPR falls below 10. 
  • Missing the Newborn baby case takes centre stage in politics. 
  • State to announce Padma style awards. 
  • State govt. the Mullaperiyar Dam case calls for decommissioning the 120-year-old dam citing bad conditions and danger to people living in the region. 
  • State wins award for sustainable public transport. 
  • High Court Quashes FIR Against Pakistan Nationals Who Came For Medical Treatment; Terms It 'Clear Abuse Of Law'.
  • Heavy rains are predicted in Kerala in the first few days of November. 
  • Kerala changes its COVID-19 death tally. 
  • SC grants bail to Thaha, NIA’s appeal against Allan dismissed in the UAPA case. 
  • Bineesh Kodiyeri gets bail in a money laundering case. 
India


  • Congress Workers Committee Convened in Delhi calls for restructuring in the party as well as a strict warning to G23. 
  • Sikh man, Lakhbir Singh was lynched killed for sacrilege by Fundamental Nihang Sikhs. Baba Narain Singh surrenders to the police. 
  • Farmers contain Rail Rocko campaign against the farmer's laws.
  • Capt. Amarinder Singh, who left the Congress party to float a new party and calls for alliance with BJP. 
  • Floods strike the state of Uttarakhand, several people were killed in the same. Govt. called for immediate action. 
  • Heavy rains lash the NCR region amidst flood signs reported across the nation.
  • Congress party to reserve 40% of seats for women for the next assembly elections in UP. 
  • India celebrates administering 1 Billion COVID-19 Vaccines, amidst the concerns of third wave and festivals. PM Modi congratulated manufacturers and the health workers. 
  • India seeks to manufacture 500 M vaccines in 2022. 
  • CBSE makes centre change possible for class 10 and 12 exams.
  • NCB conducts raid at Shah Rukh Khan's home in Mumbai, 
  • Aryan Khan after 20 days receives bail in the NPDS act from Supreme Court. 
  • Home Minister Amit Shah visits the state of J&K, speaks to the crows and inaugurates new IIT in Jammu. 
  • Tamil Nadu declares 24 districts as drought-hit. 
  • Former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik alleges corruption in the state. 
  • UAPA slapped on two students in J&K for celebrating Pakistan's victory. 
  • SC announces the formation of a Judicial committee in order to investigate in Pegasus case. The bench criticises Govt. for its laxations in the case and trying to brush apart the case. 
  • Karnataka records cases of AV 4.2 COVID-19 variant. 
  • India cancels an exhibition by Bangladeshi artist Rokeya Sultana over the recent unrest in the country. 
  • A mosque and two shops were vandalised over a VHP rally in Tripura. 
  • AA Rahim to be DYFI All India president. 
  • Munawar Faruqui's shows were cancelled over Bajrang Dal threats in Mumbai. 
  • Kannada actor Puneet Rajkumar dies due to Cardiac arrest. Violence was reported in Bangalore.
  • Bypoll to various seats held on 30th.  
  • PM Modi meets the Indian diaspora in Vatican City. He invites Pope Francis to India. 
World/International


  • Durga Puja idols were vandalised and attacks on Hindus happened after Quran was kept on Hanuman Island. PM Sheik Hasina has assured adequate action. UN and the International Community condemns the same. 
  • Colin Powell: Former US secretary of state dies of Covid complications
  • The US rescues 350 Americans stuck in Afghanistan. 
  • The bow and arrow attack killed 5 people in Kongsberg, Norway. 
  • World Passport Index 2021 announced. Japan remains on the top. 
  • FBI searches at Washington home of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska
  • China tests Hypersonic nuclear-powered missiles. 
  • New sub-variant of Delta Virus found in the UK. The caseload of the UK rising once again. 
  • The US is now seeing the relief in the Third Wave. 
  • FDA Grants Pfizer EUA For Kids’ Vaccine.
  • Shashi Tharoor's son and Washington Post journalist, Ishaan Tharoor win Arthur Ross Media Award in the Commentary category. 
  • China announces cancellation of flights and new restrictions amidst the COVID outbreak.
  • The US states Virginia and New Jersey to witness Governor's race on November 2nd. 
  • Joe Biden spoke on CNN Town Hall held in Baltimore. Announces support to Taiwan and spoke on Vaccine mandates, Spending and Infrastructure bill. 
  • Syria execute 24 people who were responsible for torching wildfire. 
  • Germany's parties SPD, Greens and FDP start talks for coalition formation. 
  • Thailand announces Quarantine free travel for 45 countries. 
  • World celebrates 59th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. 
  • Democrat and Republican leaders rush into a campaign for their respective sides ahead of closely contested Virginia elections.
  • Zijin Mining, a Chinese mining corporation opened the Chakaru Peku Copper mine in Serbia.
  • Belgium enters the fourth wave of COVID-19. 
  • Ed Sheeran tests COVID positive. 
  • The military coup in Sudan ousts the elected government. Prime Minister arrested. Protest breaks across the country. 
  • China unveils new National Border Law, India protests against it. 
  • Democrats to introduce Billionaire Tax. 
  • Canadian PM Trudeau reshuffles Cabinet. 
  • Japan's Princess Mako finally marries commoner boyfriend Kei Komuro.
  • Oman and Australia accept Covaxin to their approved list.
  • Iran plans of hosting a multilateral meeting to discuss Afghanistan and hence six countries are invited. India is excluded from the same. 
  • European parliament criticises Turkey for its action on 10 ambassadors.
  • US state dept. for the first time introduce a passport for the third gender. 
  • Taiwan Presidents confirm the presence of US troops training in the country. 
  • G20 Summit on climate action starts in Rome parallel to COP26. Xi Jinping to skip summit amidst crisis in the country. 
  • PM Modi and Joe Biden meet Pope Francis. 
  • PM Modi talks to French President Macron over various security issues.  
  • COP26  Climate Summit begins in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Technology 


  • Xiaomi electric water kettle crosses 15 Million sales. 
  • Former Facebook Moderator testifies against its profit for hate policies. CEO Mark Zuckerberg claims these charges are not true. 
  • World faces massive supply chain crisis with a shortage of food and well-reported across the globe. 
  • Facebook parent company changes its name to Meta, signifying Virtual Metaverse. 
  • Fire outbreaks reported in Kuwait factory, workers are safe. 
  • Amazon gives compensation to Aluva, India resident who received a soap set instead of an iPhone 13. 
  • Amazon Prime Membership in India will be hiked by 50%. 
  • Social media cry for new Mullaperiyar dam grows.
  • Mohammad Shami attacked using online trolls. BCCI and veterans cricketers defend him. 
  • The US alleges Cyber attacks by Russia. 
  • IIT Bombay launches two certificate programmes online in partnership with Coursera.
  • Whatsapp unveils Rs 51 cashback for each UPI payment up to five times. 
  • Travel Vlogger Drew Binsky completes visiting every country on the planet. 
  • Indian state Odisha announces 100% waiver on electric cars. 
  • Flipkart Diwali sale begins. 
  • Instagram enables posting from Desktops. 
  • Donald Trump is planning a Social Network Called Truth Social. 
  • Youtube Music to be  Audio-Only For Free Users. 
  • Xiaomi is the top smartphone seller in India. 
  • Instagram to allow Everyone to Share Links in stories. 
Sports 

  • T20 Cricket World Cup starts in UAE. 
    • Australia defeats South Africa
    • Pakistan defeats India.
    • England defeats West Indies.
    • Sri Lanka defeats Bangladesh. 
    • Afghanistan defeats Scotland. 
    • South Africa defeats West Indies. 
    • Pakistan defeats New Zealand.
    • England defeats Bangladesh. 
    • Namibia defeats Scotland.
    • Australia defeats Srilanka 
    • West Indies defeats Bangladesh.
    • Pakistan defeats Afghanistan. 
    • South Africa defeats Sri Lanka.
    • England defeats Australia. 
    • Afghanistan defeats Namibia. 
    • New Zealand defeats India.
  • Players are requested to kneel down before the match in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. 
  • South African Captain Quinton De Kock refused to kneel down amidst the differences with the cricketing board and now it has sparked a controversy. 
  • Liverpool defeats Manchester United- 5-0, at Old Trafford stadium on the 24th. 
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