Rachel Fugate Blog #1

It seems to me that what makes a nation is when the rest of the world decides to recognize its actual existence. Perhaps it should be pointed out from the start that I wish to separate the concepts of nationality and ethnicity. For instance one could be of African descent, but from the nation of one of the specific nations in Africa and identifies with that nation. Now that I have settled that I can focus singularly on the aspect of the nation. First to have this nation a few things must be in place. As I said before the nation must be recognized by the other nations of the world or willing to fight for that purpose. The people there must also loosely accept that they are members of that nation and form communities based around that acceptance of nationality. They must be willing to identify themselves as that nationality and help to or at least not hinder the defense and growth of the nation. Having these aspects I believe is what establishes a nation.

But what is this purpose of this division in the world? Why can't there be just one population living on the earth with no labels to divide them? In essence what is the purpose of a nation? It seems that nations are a means of coping with the fact that there are a number of different opinions and beliefs in the world and people seem to flock to those who are similar to them,whether it be in looks or in views. Another major contributing factor might be the ties of family, which is the basis of community. These communities try to solidify their security in the world by banding together to form even larger units, thus forming these nations. They establish some type of leader or governmental system to protect there claim. So the purpose of a nation could be in a way a means to protect the families of that nation. By definition to know that you are a part of this nation you must usually be integrated some way into one of these communities.

           It seems to me that for these kinds of questions, you are forced to look more closely at yourself and the nation that you belong to. Why does your nation exist and why does it accept you as a part of it or in some cases not accept you? Americans are always a very good example of this confusing labeling process. Millions of Americans are from other "nations" either immigrating themselves or their relatives having come in years past. They were originally from a nation that represented their identity. Now there children are born here and the children are considered American and they belong to the nation, but their parents may not.

So this child must consider a few things…

Ethnicity

Nationality

Community

Family

They are descended from a race of people, but belong to a certain nation, that consists of communities, one of which they belong to, because they are a part of one of the families of that community. It seems that nation fits in this order to things and this somewhat accounts for its existence. But it would be very difficult to put a certainty on why a nation is here. 

I'm sorry its so long guys :)