How are ethnic cleansing and minority oppression intertwined with the concept of the nation-state?

by kaykhosrow

  1. How are ethnic cleansing and minority oppression intertwined with the concept of the nation-state?

  2. How have certain states transitioned to the nation-state without practicing ethnic cleansing and/or large scale minority oppression? I'm interested in understanding the Iranian case, though I'd love to hear some insights about other nation-states that have avoided poor relations with their minorities.

This question is inspired by a discussion with /u/yodatsracist, available here.

scalfin

While I'm not really equipped to answer the other parts, the concept of the nation-state is literally that of a state defined by the nationality (read: ethnicity) that inhabits it. While attractive when taken in contrast to the large empires largely ruled by the ethnicity inhabiting the capitol, it's also problematic when you realize that it's incredibly uncommon for anyone to be able to draw a line one which all people of one ethnicity are on one side and all of the other are on the other. Similarly, when used by an existing nation to justify its continued existence and independence, things get kinda awkward when everyone notices the enclave with a different ethnicity that the state doesn't want to lose control of (often due to natural resources).