Abstract. It is no secret that nationalist movements are making their presence felt more throughout the world. This comes as a result of people’s consciousness being marked of the different policies adopted by multilateral institutions which negatively affect the state`s perceived sovereignty. The anarchical structure of the international system reveals how order is only maintained once states hold the power of decision, whether it is through cooperation or independence. Studies underline how sovereignty has become an institution in itself and how states become increasingly dependent on it, in the last seventy years. The concept of a nation-state is not about total independence, but about finding the best economic, social and political solutions for the best outcome through mutual understandings within the Westphalian sphere.

Keywords: nation-state, rival institutions, international security, anarchy, pan-Arabism.