Is, IT A NATION, A STATE, OR A COUNTRY?

Is, IT A NATION, A STATE, OR A COUNTRY?

What distinguishes a nation from a state or a country?

     The most formal of the three words, “State” refers to a place with a unified political identity.  A state is an independent political unit, able to claim its own jurisdiction over a defined territory.  A state is recognised by the rest of the world as legally able to control the affairs of its land and people.

     A “Nation” does not depend on location or political identity.  It is a distinct society of people dedicated to a region.  Generally, a nation is an ethnic group that shares a distinctive language, religion and history.

     The word “Country” conveys power and identity but is used less formally and, of the three terms, most commonly.  A country can consist entirely of one nation of people, but more often than not, multiple nations coexist within one state or country.  While a nation may abide by its own legal procedures its decisions hold no broader validity unless granted by surrounding states.

     The world’s changing perception of boundaries includes an increasing number of international alliances despite the cornucopia of country, cultures and languages scattered across the globe.  Some are casual, while others represent official political stances.  In all cases, the parties involved are generally dedicated to a common cause.  Examples include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, formed in 1967; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a 1961 expansion of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation; and NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which dates back to 1949.