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A nation can be defined as a group of people
who feel connection to one another in some
way
It is a body of people who feel that they are a
nation
Nation needs to be defined as something
found in the feelings and minds of people; an
internal connection to others
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To examine nations and nationalism we need
to study the shared experiences related to:
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Ethnic background and ancestry
Cultural values and beliefs
Common histories
Languages and communications
Religious and spiritual beliefs
Geography and location
Politics and citizenship
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Developing a nation involves three simple
processes:
a group of people sense that they share
something in common
2. Individuals internalize the feelings of connection
which generate a sense of belonging and
acceptance
3. People then identify themselves as part of that
unique nation
1.
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Antonine Maillet –
French Acadian and
novelist
 “Francophone culture is
unique and thus has its
own place in the world”
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Ernest Renan – 19th
Century French
Philosopher
 “A group of people that
live together, whom
share a number of
qualities, and have done
great things”
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N.S. Rajaram – Indian
author and hero
 “Nations are defined by
histories and traditions.
The legacy that was left
for us with our founding
fathers”
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Douglas Coupland Canadian author and
artist
 “Canadian's are define
by the landscape. The
same sights that drove
our pioneers are still
driving us today”
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While nation refers to something in the
feelings and minds of people or to an internal
connection to others, the concept of nationstates is more concrete
A nation-state is a territory with
internationally recognized boundaries, a
politically organized group of people under a
sovereign government
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Citizens of nation-states live in a politically
determined territory
They operate on a common moral, legal, and
ethical beliefs
In Canada, such beliefs are:
 Belief in democracy
 Individual rights and freedoms
 Collective rights and freedoms
 The principles of a mixed economy
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When people belong to a nation-state they
feel a connection to one another and a sense
of belonging
Nation-states bring a sense of security
Nation-states most often lead to the creation
of nations as well
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Canada as a nation-state is made up of a
diverse background of cultures, beliefs,
values, and religions
How might multiculturalism lead to the ideas
of a unified nation-state being challenged?