What is the core definition of a nation as a social organization?

A nation is defined as a type of social organization where a collective identity, known as a national identity, has developed from shared features within a population. These shared features can include language, history, ethnicity, culture, territory, or society.

How does a nation typically differ from an ethnic group in its political orientation?

A nation is generally considered more overtly political than an ethnic group, often implying a connection to a state or a desire for political autonomy.

How does Benedict Anderson define a nation?

Benedict Anderson defines a nation as an imagined political community. He elaborates that it is imagined because members of even the smallest nation will likely never know most of their fellow members, yet they hold an image of their communion in their minds.

What is Anthony D. Smith's definition of a nation?

Anthony D. Smith defines nations as cultural-political communities that have become aware of their own autonomy, unity, and distinct interests.

How does Black's Law Dictionary define a nation?

Black's Law Dictionary defines a nation as a community of people who inhabit a defined territory and are organized under an independent government. This definition suggests that a nation can be synonymous with a state or country.

According to Thomas Hylland Eriksen, what is the key factor that distinguishes nations from other forms of collective identity, such as ethnicity?

Thomas Hylland Eriksen suggests that the relationship with the state is what primarily distinguishes nations from other forms of collective identity like ethnicity.

What is the prevailing scholarly consensus regarding the nature and historical timing of nations?

The scholarly consensus is that nations are socially constructed, historically contingent, flexible in their organization, and represent a distinctly modern phenomenon.

What is the etymological origin of the English word nation?

The English word nation entered the language around the 14th century, derived from Old French and directly from the Latin word natio, which referred to birth, origin, or a group of people from the same origin.

What did the Latin term natio specifically refer to?

In Latin, natio referred to the children of the same birth, as well as a human group sharing the same origin. By the time of Cicero, it was used to denote people.

What is the general consensus among scholars of nationalism regarding the existence of earlier nations?

The broad consensus among scholars of nationalism is that nations are a relatively recent phenomenon, though some historians argue for their existence dating back to the medieval period or even antiquity.

What argument does Adrian Hastings make about the Jews as a proto-nation?

Adrian Hastings argued that the Jews were the sole exception to his view of nations as predominantly Christian phenomena, viewing them as the true proto-nation. He cited their maintenance of a cohesive national identity for nearly two millennia, culminating in Zionism, as evidence.

How did Anthony D. Smith describe the Jews of the late Second Temple period in relation to nationhood?

Anthony D. Smith wrote that the Jews of the late Second Temple period provided a closer approximation to the ideal type of the nation perhaps anywhere else in the ancient world.

What is Susan Reynolds' argument regarding medieval European kingdoms and nationhood?

Susan Reynolds argued that many medieval European kingdoms functioned as nations in a modern sense, although political participation in nationalism was limited to a prosperous and literate elite.

How did Adrian Hastings interpret Alfred the Great's actions in relation to English nationalism?

Hastings argued that Alfred the Great mobilized mass nationalism by using biblical language in his law code and translating biblical books into Old English to inspire the English against Norse invaders, suggesting a strong renewal of English nationalism during his reign.

What criticism does John Breuilly level against Adrian Hastings's interpretation of historical terms like English?

John Breuilly criticized Hastings's assumption that the continued usage of a term like English necessarily implies continuity in its meaning, suggesting that terms can be adapted to different circumstances without reflecting a consistent historical identity.

What point does Patrick J. Geary make regarding the continuity of group identities and the use of names?

Patrick J. Geary agrees with Breuilly, arguing that names were adapted to different circumstances by various powers, which could create a perception of continuity even when radical discontinuity was the lived reality. He cautions against concluding continuity solely based on recurring names.

What example of a potential earlier nation does Florin Curta cite, and what factors supported its distinct identity?

Florin Curta cites the Medieval Bulgarian nation as a possible example. The adoption of Orthodox Christianity and the invention of the Cyrillic script in Preslav contributed to its cultural distinctiveness and the development of a unique ethnic identity among South Slavs who adopted the ethnonym Bulgarians.

What assertion does Anthony Kaldellis make about the Byzantine Empire in his work Hellenism in Byzantium?

Anthony Kaldellis asserts that what is known as the Byzantine Empire was actually the Roman Empire transformed into a nation-state during the Middle Ages.

What argument does Azar Gat propose regarding China, Korea, and Japan in the context of nationhood during the European Middle Ages?

Azar Gat argues that China, Korea, and Japan were already considered nations by the time of the European Middle Ages.

What is Patrick J. Geary's main criticism of historians who argue for the existence of earlier nations?

Geary rejects the conflation of early medieval and contemporary group identities, calling it a myth. He criticizes historians for failing to recognize the differences between earlier perceptions of group identity and modern attitudes, stating they are trapped in the very historical process they are attempting to study.

What observation does Sami Zubaida make about identification within historical multinational empires?

Sami Zubaida notes that many historical states and empires ruled over diverse ethnic populations, and shared ethnicity was not always the primary basis for ruler-ruled identification or support. He argues ethnicity was often secondary to other factors in these empires.

How does Paul Lawrence critique the interpretation of Bede's Ecclesiastical History as evidence of early English national identity?

Paul Lawrence criticizes the reading of Bede's work as evidence of early English national identity, suggesting that medieval writers might have had a different concept of the nation than modern writers. He points out that such texts primarily reflect elite self-definition and likely had minor significance for the thoughts and feelings of the majority.

How was the term natio (nation) used in medieval universities like Paris and Prague?

In medieval universities, natio referred to groups of colleagues or students who shared a common origin, language, and legal customs. For example, the University of Prague divided students into Bohemian, Bavarian, Saxon, and Polish nationes.

How did the Knights Hospitaller of Jerusalem utilize the concept of nationes?

The Knights Hospitaller segregated members by nationes (nations) at their hostels on Rhodes, with each nation having its own separate space and a Knight in charge to provide for their needs, as observed by Pedro Tafur in 1436.

What argument does Philip S. Gorski make regarding the Dutch Republic and the concept of the first modern nation-state?

Philip S. Gorski argues that the Dutch Republic was the first modern nation-state, founded on a fully modern political nationalism rooted in the model of biblical nationalism.

What expansion did Diana Muir Appelbaum make on Gorski's argument concerning early modern nation-states?

Diana Muir Appelbaum expanded Gorski's argument to suggest that a series of new, Protestant nation-states in the sixteenth century also followed this pattern of biblical nationalism.

According to Liah Greenfeld, when and where was nationalism invented, and what did she claim about England?

Liah Greenfeld argued that nationalism was invented in England by 1600, and she considered England to be the first nation in the world.

What profound consequences did Anthony D. Smith attribute to the creation of a world of nations?

Smith argued that creating a world of nations had significant global consequences because a nation comprises both cultural and political identity. He stated that any attempt to forge a national identity is inherently a political action with geopolitical ramifications, such as redrawing maps or altering political regimes.

What are the three main perspectives discussed in the social sciences regarding how nations developed?

The three perspectives are Primordialism (nations have always existed), Ethnosymbolism (nations develop through symbols, myths, and traditions), and Modernization theory (nations emerged due to modernization processes like industrialization and mass education).

What does the Primordialism perspective propose about the nature of nations and nationalism?

Primordialism, which reflects popular conceptions but is less favored by academics, suggests that nations have always existed and that nationalism is a natural phenomenon.

What does Ethnosymbolism emphasize as key factors in the development of nations and nationalism?

Ethnosymbolism views nationalism as a dynamic, evolving phenomenon and stresses the crucial role of symbols, myths, and traditions in the formation and development of nations and nationalism.

What approach does Modernization theory adopt, and what factors does it identify as contributing to the rise of nationalism?

Modernization theory adopts a constructivist approach, proposing that nationalism emerged due to modernization processes such as industrialization, urbanization, and mass education, which facilitated the development of national consciousness.

What concept did Benedict Anderson coin, and how does it relate to modernization theory's view of nations?

Benedict Anderson coined the term imagined communities to describe nations. Proponents of modernization theory use this concept to explain that nations are imagined because members, though connected by shared ideas, often remain strangers to each other.

In the context of modernization theory, what is nationalism often seen as, and what binds individuals together?

Nationalism is often seen as an invented tradition where shared sentiment provides collective identity and binds individuals together in political solidarity. A nation's foundational narrative may incorporate ethnic attributes, values, and principles.

What did scholars in the 19th and early 20th centuries offer as criticisms of primordial theories about nations?

Scholars during this period offered constructivist criticisms, challenging the idea that nations were natural or ancient, and instead emphasizing their social construction and historical contingency.

What did Ernest Renan argue about the nature of a nation in his lecture What is a Nation?

Ernest Renan argued that a nation is like a daily referendum, suggesting that nations are formed and sustained not just by shared memories but also by what people collectively forget.

According to Carl Darling Buck's 1916 study, what is nationality essentially based upon?

Carl Darling Buck stated that nationality is essentially subjective, defined as an active sentiment of unity within a group, based on real but diverse factors like political, geographical, physical, and social elements, none of which must be universally present.

What distinction did social scientists make in the late 20th century regarding types of nations, and what examples were provided?

Social scientists identified two types: the civic nation, exemplified by French republican society, and the ethnic nation, exemplified by the German peoples.

How was the civic nation conceptualized, and to what historical event is it traced?

The civic nation was conceptualized as being centered on a willingness to live together, resulting from an act of affirmation. It is traced to the French Revolution and ideas from 18th-century French philosophers.

How was the ethnic nation conceptualized, and to what historical figures is it linked?

The ethnic nation was conceptualized as referring to people sharing common language, religion, culture, history, and ethnic origins that differentiate them from others. This concept is linked to early 19th-century German philosophers like Johann Gottlieb Fichte.

What is the central debate regarding the future of nations?

The ongoing debate concerns whether the framework of nation-states will persist as it is or if viable alternatives are developing, questioning the future importance of nations.

How does the clash of civilizations theory contrast with cosmopolitan theories about the future world order?

The clash of civilizations theory posits that cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world, contrasting with cosmopolitan theories that suggest an increasingly connected world diminishing the need for nation-states.

According to Samuel P. Huntington, what will be the primary basis for conflict in the future global landscape?

Samuel P. Huntington's thesis suggests that the primary axis of conflict in the future will be along cultural and religious lines, as people's cultural and religious identities become the main drivers of conflict.

What did Francis Fukuyama argue in his book The End of History and the Last Man?

Francis Fukuyama argued that the world had reached a Hegelian end of history, implying that liberal democracy and capitalist free markets had become the final ideological alternatives for nations.

What is postnationalism, and what factors are identified as contributing to this trend?

Postnationalism is the trend where nation-states and national identities lose importance relative to supranational and global entities. Contributing factors include economic globalization, the rise of multinational corporations, international financial markets, shifts in political power to supranational bodies, and new information technologies like the Internet.

What comparison does Jan Zielonka make regarding the future structure of political power and the medieval model?

Jan Zielonka suggests that the future structure of political power will resemble the medieval model more than the Westphalian one. He describes the Westphalian model as focused on concentrated power and clear identity, while neo-medievalism involves overlapping authorities, divided sovereignty, multiple identities, and fuzzy borders.

What is the literal meaning of the Latin word natio from which nation is derived?

The Latin word natio literally means that which has been born, stemming from the verb nasci (to be born), and it referred to birth, origin, or a group of people from the same origin.

What specific aspect of an imagined community did Benedict Anderson highlight regarding members of a nation?

Anderson highlighted that members of a nation, even in the smallest nation, will likely never know most of their fellow members or even hear of them, yet they share an image of their communion.

What is the scholarly consensus on whether nations are natural or socially constructed phenomena?

The scholarly consensus is that nations are socially constructed and are a distinctly modern phenomenon, rather than being natural or ancient entities.

What did Anthony D. Smith argue in his books Chosen Peoples and Myths and Memories of the Nation?

In these books, Anthony D. Smith explored the sacred sources of national identity and the role of myths and memories in shaping the nation, contributing to the understanding of how nations are formed and sustained.

Nation Wiki: The Fabric of Nations: Understanding Collective Identity

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Defining the Nation

Collective Identity

A nation is a form of social organization characterized by the emergence of a collective identity, termed a national identity. This identity arises from a confluence of shared features within a population, such as common language, history, ethnicity, culture, territory, or societal structures.¹ While some nations are rooted in ethnicity (ethnic nationalism), others are unified by political constitutions (civic nationalism).¹

Political Dimension

Nations are generally considered more overtly political than ethnic groups.²³ Benedict Anderson famously defined a nation as an "imagined political community," emphasizing that members, even in the smallest nation, share an image of communion despite never knowing most of their fellow members.⁴ Anthony D. Smith similarly describes nations as cultural-political communities that develop an awareness of their autonomy, unity, and distinct interests.⁵⁶ The concept can also be synonymous with a state or country, particularly when referring to a community organized under an independent government within a defined territory.²

Modern Construct

The prevailing scholarly view posits that nations are socially constructed, historically contingent, organizationally adaptable, and fundamentally a modern phenomenon.⁸⁹ While attachments to kin groups, traditions, and territories have existed throughout history, nationalism—the ideology advocating for the alignment of state and nation into a nation-state—gained prominence only towards the end of the 18th century.¹⁰

Etymology and Terminology

Linguistic Roots

The English word "nation" entered the language around the 14th century, derived from Old French "nacion," meaning birth, lineage, or homeland. It directly traces back to the Latin term natio, which signified birth, origin, or a group of people sharing a common ancestry.¹¹ In Latin, natio referred to children of the same birth and, by Cicero's time, was used to denote a people or a human group of the same origin.¹²¹³

Nations Through History

Early and Medieval Nations

While the broad consensus among scholars of nationalism is that nations are a recent phenomenon, some historians argue for their existence tracing back to the medieval period, or even antiquity.¹⁴ Adrian Hastings proposed that nations are primarily a Christian phenomenon, citing ancient Israel as a foundational model of nationhood, maintained through millennia of dispersed existence.¹⁵ Anthony D. Smith noted the Jews of the late Second Temple period as a close approximation to the ancient ideal type of a nation.¹⁶ Susan Reynolds argued that many medieval European kingdoms functioned as nations, albeit with limited political participation.¹⁷ Florin Curta highlighted Medieval Bulgarian nationhood, influenced by Orthodox Christianity and the Cyrillic script, as another potential example.²¹

Modern Nationhood

Philip S. Gorski and Diana Muir Appelbaum suggest the Dutch Republic and other 16th-century Protestant states were the first modern nation-states, rooted in biblical nationalism.³²³³ Liah Greenfeld posited that nationalism originated in England around 1600, making England the "first nation."³⁶³⁷ Anthony D. Smith emphasized that forging national identity is inherently political, potentially altering geopolitical maps and regimes.³⁸

Critiques of Continuity

Critics like Patrick J. Geary and John Breuilly challenge the notion of continuous national identity based solely on recurring names, arguing that historical perceptions differ significantly from modern ones.¹⁹²⁰ Paul Lawrence points out that historical narratives might reflect elite perspectives rather than the feelings of the general populace.²⁹ Sami Zubaida notes that historical empires often ruled diverse populations, where ethnicity wasn't always the primary basis for identification.²⁸

Social Science Perspectives

Theoretical Frameworks

Social scientists offer distinct perspectives on nation formation:

Primordialism (Perennialism): Views nations and nationalism as natural and historically constant phenomena.
Ethnosymbolism: Emphasizes the dynamic role of symbols, myths, and traditions in nation development.
Modernization Theory: Argues that nations emerged from modernization processes like industrialization and mass education, making national consciousness possible.³⁹⁴⁰

Modernization theory, now dominant, views nations as "imagined communities," where shared sentiments create collective identity and political solidarity, even among strangers.⁴²⁴³

Key Concepts

Scholars like Ernest Renan and Carl Darling Buck highlight the subjective nature of national sentiment. Renan described a nation as a "daily referendum," shaped by collective memory and forgetting.⁴⁶ Buck noted that nationality is a sentiment based on diverse, but not universally present, factors.⁴⁶

Civic Nation: Based on shared political participation and constitutional principles (e.g., France).
Ethnic Nation: Rooted in shared language, culture, history, and ethnic origins (e.g., Germany).

These distinctions, while influential, are often debated and can overlap.

The Future of Nations

Clash or Convergence?

The future of the nation-state is a subject of ongoing debate. Samuel P. Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" theory posits that future global conflicts will primarily be driven by cultural and religious identities, contrasting with cosmopolitan views favoring supranational integration.⁴⁹

Postnationalism and Neo-Medievalism

Postnationalism describes the declining influence of nation-states due to globalization, multinational corporations, and new technologies. However, national identities often remain potent.⁵²⁵³⁵⁴ Jan Zielonka suggests a shift towards "neo-medievalism," characterized by overlapping authorities and divided sovereignty, rather than the clear-cut sovereignty of the Westphalian system.⁴⁹

Related Concepts

Identity and Groups

Concepts like ethnicity, race, citizenship, and culture are closely intertwined with the idea of a nation. Understanding these related terms provides crucial context for analyzing national identity and formation.³⁹⁴¹

Political Frameworks

The study of nations intersects with broader political science concepts, including government, sovereignty, political philosophy, and various political ideologies. The relationship between the nation and the state is central to understanding modern political organization.⁷

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Nation" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about nation while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

hirohito and the making of modern japan

tokyo stock exchange

data deficient

calvin fish

References

Dictionnaire Latin-FranÃ§ais, Gaffiot.

Azar Gat, Nations: The Long History and Deep Roots of Political Ethnicity and Nationalism, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2013, China, p. 93 Korea, p. 104 and Japan p., 105.

R.A. Hackenberg and R.R. Alvarez; "Close-ups of postnationalism: Reports from the US-Mexico borderlands"; Human Organization 60:97â104 (2001)

I. Bloemraad; "Who claims dual citizenship? The limits of postnationalism, the possibilities of transnationalism, and the persistence of traditional citizenship"; International Migration Review 38:389â426 (2004)

A full list of references for this article are available at the Nation Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not political or sociological advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation on political science, sociology, or history. Always refer to primary sources and consult with qualified experts for specific analyses or interpretations. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The Fabric of Nations

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Defining the Nation ℹ️

🤝 Collective Identity

🏛️ Political Dimension

⏳ Modern Construct

Etymology and Terminology 📜

🗣️ Linguistic Roots

Nations Through History 🕰️

🌍 Early and Medieval Nations

💡 Modern Nationhood

🤔 Critiques of Continuity

Social Science Perspectives 🧠

📜 Theoretical Frameworks

🗣️ Key Concepts

The Future of Nations 🔮

⚔️ Clash or Convergence?

🌐 Postnationalism and Neo-Medievalism

Related Concepts 🔗

👥 Identity and Groups

⚖️ Political Frameworks

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining the Nation

Collective Identity

Political Dimension

Modern Construct

Etymology and Terminology

Linguistic Roots

Nations Through History

Early and Medieval Nations

Modern Nationhood

Critiques of Continuity

Social Science Perspectives

Theoretical Frameworks

Key Concepts

The Future of Nations

Clash or Convergence?

Postnationalism and Neo-Medievalism

Related Concepts

Identity and Groups

Political Frameworks

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice