City-State Theory

City-State Theory describes how independent urban areas, called city-states, function as self-governing entities with their own governments, laws, and economies. Historically, these city-states managed local affairs and trade within their territory without needing a larger national government. Today, the concept highlights how cities can act as powerful centers of influence, governance, and economic activity, sometimes operating almost like independent countries within a larger nation. Essentially, it emphasizes the importance of cities as autonomous hubs with their own policies and identities, shaping regional development and global interactions.