Compare and contrast early- and late-forming states

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Early-forming states are states that managed to consolidate sovereignty centuries ago. Some states—particularly those in Western Europe, such as France and UK—emerged as unified political entities centuries ago. Today, these early-forming states tend to be wealthier, more effective at providing order and stability, and they enjoy relatively widespread popular support. Late-forming states are states that only consolidated sovereignty in recent decades. The ability of many late-forming states to exert sovereignty varies with states that formed in earlier eras. In large part this is because a few early-forming European states grew so powerful that they managed to colonize much of the rest of the world; colonized territories gained independence as sovereign states more recently. Early-forming states tend to be relatively stronger in terms of their ability to exercise sovereignty, maintain political stability, and implement public policies, while late-forming states tend to be relatively weaker. For example, India and Nigeria—both former British colonies—tend to face greater contemporary challenges in terms of establishing legitimate political order, eradicating corruption, and ensuring economic development for all citizens.