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( Nations)
A nation is a form of self-defined cultural and social community. One of the most influential doctrines in Western Europe and the Western hemisphere since the late eighteenth century is that all humans are divided into groups called nations.[1] Nationhood is an ethical and philosophical doctrine and is the starting point for the ideology of nationalism. Members of a "nation" share a common identity, and usually a common origin, in the sense of history, ancestry, parentage or descent. A nation extends across generations, and includes the dead as full members. Past events are framed in this context; for example; by referring to "our soldiers" in conflicts which took place hundreds of years ago. More vaguely, nations are assumed to include future generations. Though a nation is not identical to a state, the people of a nation-state consider themselves a nation; while traditionally monocultural, it may also be multicultural in its self-definition. The term nation is often used as a synonym for ethnic group (sometimes "ethnos"), but although ethnicity is now one of the most important aspects of cultural or social identity, people with the same ethnic origin may live in different nation-states and be treated as members of separate nations for that reason. The word nation is also commonly used - although incorrectly - as a synonym for the word state or country. National identity is often disputed, down to the level of the individual. Almost all nations are associated with a specific territory, the national homeland. Some live in a historical diaspora, that is, mainly outside the national homeland. A state which explicitly identifies as the homeland of a particular nation is a nation-state, and most modern states fall into this category, although there may be violent disputes about their legitimacy. Where territory is disputed between nations, the claims may be based on which nation lived there first. Especially in Canada the term "First Nations" is used for groups which share an aboriginal culture, and have or seek official recognition or autonomy. In common usage, terms such as nations, country, land, and state often appear as near-synonyms, i.e., they can be used for a particular area or territory, or for the government itself; in other words, a de jure or de facto state. In the English language, the terms do have precise meanings, but in daily speech and writing they are often used interchangeably, and are open to different interpretations.
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Nations Subcategories
Nations Articles
Yoga Travel and Tour by Himalayam org
Himalayam believe that the real potential of Uttarakhand is still only in some measure explored and the place has much more to offer than what has been discovered already. One side the place boasts of a rich and diverse flora and fauna to incite an i...
Holistic Health - Combinations of Antioxidants and Vitamins by Francis Adam
Various berries, including strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, are packed with major antioxidants, carotenoids, and vitamin C. These antioxidants are believed to counteract the formation of many chemical processes that contribute to the forma...
You Can Learn Yoga From A Yoga Retreat Destination by Mike Selvon
Amid the clamor of obligations, rush hour traffic, nagging bosses and the chaos of daily life, the last thing most Americans want is a high-volume vacation that requires a lot of running around and planning. Why not try a week at a relaxing yoga retr...
Coping with Narcolepsy by Anne Wolski
Copyright 2006 Anne Wolski
Are you one of those people who can drop off to sleep anywhere? Do you find that you are going to sleep at inappropriate times? Are you constantly fighting to stay awake during the day despite having a good night?s sl...
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