自十七世紀以來，領土一直内蘊於現代國家概念的内涵之中，因此領土本身向來沒有受到充分的解析。廿世紀裡，戰爭現實早已衝擊領土主權的完整性，民族主義運動與全球化也促使領土的意義發生彈性變化，貼近自然與日常生活之思想領域也將領土給活化；領土漸從國家之内走到國家之外，或許適可作為一自足的天地，回頭界定政治共同體，而這似乎可以是台灣的選項之一。同時以領土此一基本概念為軸之歷史與理論探討，並藉之整合公民素養之相關議題，或許適可形成通識教育之另類開課主題。

Territory has long been the intension of the master concept of modem state since the 17th century and thus never been analyzed as it is. During the 20th century, situation seems to change for territory. Wars invade the integrity of territory, nationalism and globalization make territory more flexible, the returning of original daily life also vitalizes the old connotation of territory. Territory was within the state. Walking out of the state, the relative autonomy of territory becomes self-sufficient enough to redefine its political community. Such a new way, perhaps, may form the possible alternative to Taiwan’s struggle for its statehood. Also, such historical and theoretical analysis of the core concept of territory may integrate relevant civil issues of citizenship and initiate different teaching form of general education.