(Originais Teachy 2024) - Question Hard of History

Considering the process of formation of nation-states in Europe, analyze the following excerpt from the historian Benedict Anderson: 'The imagined community of the nation is a deep camaraderie that, however, is experienced as a fraternity. It must be imagined as deeply horizontal, although it manifests itself in vertical practices of power.' (Imagined Communities, 1983) Starting from this concept, discuss how the idea of 'nation' and 'nation-state' emerged and developed in a historical context of absolutist monarchies and how the formation of modern states influenced power relations and political organization in Europe from the 17th to the 19th century. Connect your analysis with the ideas of the political philosopher John Locke about the origin and purpose of government, considering the following excerpt from his work 'Second Treatise of Government': 'For Locke, the formation of governments is directly linked to the consent of the governed and to a contract that seeks to preserve inalienable natural rights.' (Locke, 1689) Based on your analysis, evaluate how the conception of nation and the development of the nation-state redefined power relations and sovereignty in the European context, and how these changes are reflected in aspects of contemporary political organization.