It is very simple to justify when you consider the US alone. However, if you choose virtually any other countries that you might consider to be nation-states,

It is very simple to justify when you consider the US alone. However, if you choose virtually any other countries that you might consider to be nation-states, then you could describe them in the same manner. The way I read your definition, you describe two polarities, which lend themselves to any conclusion about any country, depending on which is emphasized. I felt like the UK, Pakistan, and Israel were three good examples of countries claimed by some to be nation-states that show the definition is complicated and subjective. And indeed, it already was denied that the UK is a nation-state, in this thread!