"Only recently, during the nineteenth century, and then only in Europe, do we meet forms of the state which have been created by a deliberate national feeling"
- Christian Lous Lange
About this Quote
In this quote, Christian Lous Lange is talking about the evolution of the state and how it has been shaped by national sentiment. He keeps in mind that it was not up until the nineteenth century that we see the emergence of states that were intentionally formed based on a sense of nationwide identity. This recommends that prior to this time, states were not necessarily defined by a shared sense of nationality, however rather by other factors such as geography or ruling dynasties. The mention of Europe specifically highlights the continent's role in this advancement, as it was a center of political and social change during this time duration. Overall, Lange's quote highlights the significance of national belief in forming the modern-day state.
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