Empires and nation-states are two different types of political entities, which have coexisted throughout history. Nation-states emerged as a political formation in the modern era, starting in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. They are characterized by a sovereign, centralized government that exercises power over a defined territory, and whose legitimacy is based on the idea of a shared national identity among its citizens. Empires, on the other hand, are characterized by a multiethnic, multireligious political entity that exercises control over a large territory through a network of institutions and a hierarchical system of power.
Historically, empires and nation-states have had complex and often contentious relationships. Nation-states have often sought to break away from empires and establish their own independent states, based on the idea of self-determination and national sovereignty. In some cases, nation-states have emerged as a result of the collapse of empires, as happened in Europe after World War I, when the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian Empires disintegrated, leading to the creation of new nation-states. In other cases, nation-states have emerged through a process of political struggle and revolution, as happened in the United States and France in the late 18th century.
However, empires have also played an important role in shaping the development of nation-states, both positively and negatively. Empires have often facilitated the spread of culture, language, and technology across vast territories, leading to the emergence of shared identities and values that have helped to shape the development of nation-states. On the other hand, empires have also been responsible for the subjugation and exploitation of subject peoples, leading to the suppression of national identities and the erosion of cultural diversity.
Therefore, the relationship between empires and nation-states has been complex and multifaceted, and has evolved over time in response to changing political, social, and economic conditions.