when does a political unit/state become too large to govern itself?

Question

what things are dead giveaways that it's time to simplify?

is the land area too large? is the population too diverse? is the government too unwieldy? how might simplification take place?

i'm thinking along the lines of a county government, but you can take the argument up to the national level if you like.

Answer 1

Good, interesting question. I think this issue is something that is facing many countries today. I think that the problem is not so much land mass or population, but the growing diversity of the population itself, which results in a growing number of different needs and values. The Governing body then struggles to meet this new complex level of need and expectation. Globalisation means that cultures and ideologies are international and national at the same time, and its hard to effectively govern such populations which harbour such a diverse range of thought. I don't believe there is a single 'giveaway' that this is happening, rather its a growing trend and something that Gov. and local governing bodies are having to finally face up to .

Answer 2

when it has too much power and land
refer your question to napoleon, he had too much power and too uch land that people started to revolt through nationalism.

Answer 3

good question