Final answer:
Early modern states were characterized by dynastic rule and direct exertion of the ruler's authority, with violence as a common means of establishing control. Modern states focus on democratic processes and adhere to international laws, with government authority recognized as separate from individual rulers. The evolving concept of the nation-state reflects these historical shifts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early modern states and their twentieth- and twenty-first-century counterparts exhibit substantial differences in structure, governance, and societal impact. The personal role of the ruler in early modern states was often more pronounced due to the dynastic nature of sovereignty, with powerful families such as the Hapsburgs attempting to maintain control over territories through titles like the "Holy Roman Empire." This period saw the gradual shift from dynastic empires to nation-states marked by ethnicity, customs, and language, yet with a commonality in that rulers like Napoleon and Queen Victoria were seen as embodiments of the state's authority.
Violence was a prevalent means of establishing authority and shaping the lives of citizens, with wars and treaties among political elites influencing the map of Europe. However, it wasn't until the development of mechanisms like the printing press that the commoners' sense of community and engagement with the state began to change significantly. In contrast, modern states have evolved to incorporate democratic processes, have legal systems more clearly separated from rulers' personal whims, and experience constraints on violence due to international laws and norms.
Ultimately, the state's ability to recognize and accommodate the varied identities within its borders has become crucial in the modern context. This capability reflects an evolved understanding of nationhood and statehood, challenging the European nation-state model that often disregarded the historical identities of non-European peoples during colonial expansions. The past and present thus reflect differing applications of the concept of the state and the nation, with the past centered around dynastic power and territorial conquest, and the present increasingly focused on civic nationalism, political representation, and international law.