A nation is a territory where all its people are led by the same government.
The word “nation” can also refer to a group of people who share a history, traditions, culture and, often, language—even if the group does not have a political territory of its own. People within this type of nation share a common identity, and think of themselves as belonging to the same group.
Palestinians, who live in and near the nation of Israel, fit in this category. Though Palestinians share a national identity, elect their own government, and share cultural beliefs, they do not have an internationally recognized nation of their own.
The United Nations currently recognizes 193 nations around the world, though only 192 are members of the UN's General Assembly. (Vatican City, which is led by the Roman Catholic Church, is recognized as a sovereign nation but is not a member of the General Assembly.)
Other nations are not recognized by one or more states for varying reasons. Sometimes, a single nation does not recognize another nation. North Korea and South Korea do not recognize each other as nations, for instance. They each oppose the politics of the other.
The leaders of some unrecognized nations maintain a “government in exile.” These leaders were ousted by social change, such as a revolution, in their country. The leaders currently live in another country, but consider themselves the leaders of their nation.
Sometimes, people of that nation want the leader to return. Many Tibetans, for instance, look forward to a time when the Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibet’s government in exile, will return to the country. The Dalai Lama has not been to Tibet since 1959, when Tibet became a part of China.
Other times, a government in exile can form entirely outside the nation it wants to govern. The Free Republic of Vietnam considers itself a government in exile of the nation of Vietnam. The Free Republic of Vietnam was formed after the Vietnam War by emigrants who did not want to live in the new, socialist government of Vietnam.
FAQs
Important factors to make a nation strong: leadership, economic influence, political influence, strong international alliances and strong military alliances. Country can make itself stronger by : By gaining knowledge.
What is a simple definition of a nation? ›
A nation is a group of people who share the same culture, history, language or ethnicity. The word can also be used for the population of a country. The word nation comes from a Latin language word meaning "birth" or "place of birth." The adjective is national.
What is a nation state example? ›
The U.S., for example, is a nation state because it is governed by a single independent government and because the people who inhabit it by and large consider themselves to be legally and culturally American.
What is the concept of the nation? ›
He therefore proposed the following definition of nation: “A nation is a specific political, social, economic and cultural community, often with a common language, culture and history, living in neighbouring territories, with 'independent' political institutions and social organisations; it presupposes a politically ...
What three things make a nation? ›
According to Robbins' book, Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism, there are three essential components that are necessary to construct and maintain a nation-state: a defined territory, a stable population, and a government.
What really makes a nation? ›
A nation is a large type of social organization where a collective identity, a national identity, has emerged from a combination of shared features across a given population, such as language, history, ethnicity, culture, territory or society.
What best describes nation? ›
A nation is a territory where all its people are led by the same government. The word “nation” can also refer to a group of people who share a history, traditions, culture and, often, language—even if the group does not have a political territory of its own.
Is the US a nation or country? ›
The United States of America (USA or U.S.A.), commonly known as the United States (US or U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America.
What is a nation vs. country? ›
A nation is a community of people formed on the basis of a common language, territory, ethnicity etc. A country may be an independent sovereign state or part of a larger state, a physical territory with a government, or a geographic region associated with sets of previously independent or differently associated people.
What are the four characteristics of a nation? ›
The four characteristics of a nation-state are sovereignty, land, population, and government. Brazil, Greece, and Australia are examples of nation-states.
Basically, if a group of people has a shared sense of nationalism, they form a “nation.” The idea of nationalism believes that once a group has defined itself as a nation they have a “natural right” to territory necessary to live in and govern in.
What is the difference between a nation and a nationality? ›
1. Nation is a group of people who share the same culture, language, history, and/or religion, while nationality is a legal identity that is associated with a particular nation or state. 2. A nation can be comprised of multiple nationalities, while a nationality is exclusive to one particular nation or state.
What 4 components define a nation? ›
Key Terms. The definitions highlight the fact that the state consists of four basic components. (1) population, (2) territory, (3) government, and (4) sovereignty are the four categories (or independence).
Why do nations exist? ›
Recall that a nation is a group of people who see themselves as united by various shared cultural features, including myths, religious beliefs, language, political ideologies, etc. Some scholars see nations as having deep roots extending back to ancient times.
Why is it hard to define a nation? ›
Answer: It is difficult to define a nation because nation can be formed or found on the basis of religion, culture, language that is shared between people living in that nation.
What makes a country great? ›
While economic stability, quality of life and education are often cited as key factors, cultural richness, political stability and environmental sustainability also hold great importance.
What are the qualities that make a nation strong? ›
Ans. The people who can stand by truth and honesty and who can suffer long for these great virtues can make their country great and strong. In other words, determined people with the right attitude make a nation strong.
What are the things that build a nation? ›
Economic, social, and political development, and institutions which protect human rights and provide for the rule of law, are important not only to post-conflict peacebuilding, but to nation-building at any stage of development or any stage of conflict.
How can a nation be successful? ›
Successful countries have well-developed infrastructure, including transportation, communication, energy, and water systems. This infrastructure enables businesses to operate efficiently and citizens to access essential services. Political stability is crucial for the success of a country.
