There are different meanings for the term “State”.[1] The concept of nation-state is originated in the European state system during the Middle Ages and through the Renaissance, and is recognised by modern international law. Before the advent of the doctrine of ‘nation states,’ there were major imperial powers, tribes and local entities but no nation states
* Hossein Esmaeili, LLB, MA, LLM, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer, Flinders Law School, Flinders University, Australia.
[1] DP O’Connell, International Law ( Stevens & Sons, London, 1970, Vol. I,) 283.