What is a Nation?

Essay 3: What is a Nation?

A nation, as defined in Webster’s Universal College Dictionary, is “a body of people, associated with a particular territory, that is sufficiently conscious of its unity to seek or to possess a government peculiarly its own.” This definition is correct, but leaves so much unsaid. The word nation is actually derived from the Latin word natio that means birth. It represents the beginning of something. London had a miraculous “birth” in the year 0. This corresponds to the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus. When people speak of “country (nation) matters”, another Latin term comes into play, with matter meaning mother. A country must have a mother as a mother gives birth, which links back to a nation meaning birth. Now that the definition and meaning of a nation are provided, a common question comes to mind. What makes a territory a nation?

A nation consists of three main items: documents, ideology, and language. Documents can be described as legal forms that state we are a nation, ideology includes a set of doctrines or beliefs that form the basis of a political, economic, or other system, and language come from sharing the same “mother tongue”. “Mother tongue” is the language that belongs to one’s identity. People who share these common elements represent the same nation. People who do not belong in a nation are those who do not possess the same elements above with anyone. For example, in Beowulf, Grendel and his mother did not have a nation and were therefore, angry with those who did. They were on the outside looking in and because of this outcast feeling, were angry. Grendel was even angrier because he was still living with his mother. They are roamers who do not belong anywhere. This can also be linked to the dragon and the Spear Danes not being a part of a nation, either, at the beginning.

National identity is always linked to religious identity, as well. Although the United States has many different religions, they are all legal practices here. Other countries may have another, different religion, which is why the people live, and are a part of that nation. We are born into a nation, and therefore are molded in a certain way and our beliefs lean toward what we are taught. With these shared beliefs, we share a common interest with others which is another aspect that makes people part of a nation.