Introduction:
In the 18th century, Europe was characterized by a lack of nation states as we understand them today. The concept of a nation state, where a unified political entity represents a specific group of people with a shared culture, language, and identity, was not fully developed during this time. Instead, Europe was predominantly made up of monarchies, city-states, and empires, each with its own unique political structure and identity.

Examples:

1. Holy Roman Empire:
The Holy Roman Empire provides an example of the absence of nation states in 18th century Europe. It was a loose confederation of territories and states, encompassing a diverse range of cultures, languages, and political systems. The empire included regions such as Germany, Austria, and parts of Italy, each with their own distinct identities and rulers. The Holy Roman Empire lacked a unified political structure and a common sense of national identity, making it difficult to classify it as a nation state.

2. Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth:
Another example is the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a multiethnic and multilingual federation that existed from 1569 to 1795. It encompassed present-day Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Latvia, Estonia, and Russia. The Commonwealth was characterized by a complex system of governance, where power was decentralized and shared among the nobility. This lack of central authority and the presence of multiple ethnic groups prevented the emergence of a unified nation state.

Conclusion:
The examples of the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth demonstrate the absence of nation states in 18th century Europe. Instead, the continent was divided into various political entities with diverse cultures, languages, and identities. The concept of a nation state, where a unified political entity represents a specific group of people with a shared identity, was not fully developed during this time. It was only in the following centuries that nation states began to emerge as a dominant form of political organization in Europe.