The Notion of Nation
The word "nation" may mean differing things to divergent people. Tomost Americans, the word means a democracy where freedom reigns andpatriotism is still strong. In a democratic nation, success is open tojust about anyone with new ideas. Dictionary.com defines the word as "Arelatively large group of people organized under a single, usuallyindependent government; a country." However, just a glimpse at the nationswho comprise the United Nations show just how loose that definition can be. Some of the "member states" include Iran, Iraq, China, Viet Nam,
When the term nation first came into use, it seemed torepresent nations that had gained their independence, or had formed commonbonds to create a larger nation-state, such as the colonial United States,or the early Grecian nation-state, also known as an empire at first. Nationalism is a strong feeling of national pride, and the strongestnations cultivate this pride, while still managing to work effectively withthe other nations of the world. Clearly, the most successful nations understand how to blend governmentwith the people's wishes and concerns. It seems nations can bring out the best in their people, but that isnot always the case. Nations cannot always agree on themselves and their needs, and sothey cannot communicate these needs with the nations surrounding them. Clearly, there are very differing forms of government andnational loyalties at work in each of these countries, and yet they are allknown as nations. An important part of any nation are thepeople who share it, for they bring their own collective pride andpatriotism to their nation, and they can make it strong, or bring it down. In earlier history, the most successfulnations often divided and conquered to be successful, but today, it seemsthe most successful nations know how to persuade, rather than conquer. Not all nations handle thiseffectively, and this is why there seems to be so much turmoil in theworld. Some nations gain freedoms for their people, whileothers repress their people.
Common topics in this essay:
United Grecian,
,
Nam United,
United Nations,
successful nations,
|
Acceptance Essays
