A nation is not a plot of land with settlements upon it. In fact, I believe that a nation has little to do with any aspect of its geographical location. A nation is constituted of its people, its values and its traditions. When describing a nation, it is important we comment on its traditions rather than its geographical location. If we were to treat the geographical location as more important, then in a case when the people are exiled from their land, the nation ceases to exist.
Historic accounts of exile prove that a nation is made up by its people. When the Israelites were exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem, Israel remained a nation; its people were still unified, its values were still upheld, and its traditions were observed. For this reason, I believe that any group of people worth calling a nation could be placed in any other environment and that there would be no reason to say that the nation had changed.
The history of a nation is equally as important as its people; the history of a nation is a record of its pioneers and the previous generations. Cultural values, such as personal freedom in the United States, are the product of a nation's history. This is evident in the modern cultures of countries. Personal freedom is more heavily referenced, emphasised and discussed in the United States because the United States' history emphasised personal freedom. Most places under colonial rule seek independence from the "mother country" simply because they want to be governed by "one of their own". Consequently, after becoming independent they fail to highlight the importance of liberty.
However, in the case of the United States, we find different motivations for seeking independence. Philosophers and writers lead this struggle, rather than military commanders. Men like Thomas Paine wrote literature in support of the moral argument for American independence, instead of assassinating government officials. Although there is blood and violence in America's struggle for autonomy, American independence was much more of an intellectual struggle than a physical one. The American love of liberty was evident in the country's most important documents; the Declaration of Independence speaks of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." And this love of liberty remains prevalent in modern America -- the US Bill of Rights is widely studied in American public schools, and the United States is referred to by the songwriter, as the "Land of the Free". This is a clear example of a country's history informing and determining its cultural values and customs.
To conclude, a nation is made of its people, past and present and therefore has no attachment to its physical landmarks. To preserve a nation, the rigorous study of its customs, its language and its history must be practised.
Historic accounts of exile prove that a nation is made up by its people. When the Israelites were exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem, Israel remained a nation; its people were still unified, its values were still upheld, and its traditions were observed. For this reason, I believe that any group of people worth calling a nation could be placed in any other environment and that there would be no reason to say that the nation had changed.
The history of a nation is equally as important as its people; the history of a nation is a record of its pioneers and the previous generations. Cultural values, such as personal freedom in the United States, are the product of a nation's history. This is evident in the modern cultures of countries. Personal freedom is more heavily referenced, emphasised and discussed in the United States because the United States' history emphasised personal freedom. Most places under colonial rule seek independence from the "mother country" simply because they want to be governed by "one of their own". Consequently, after becoming independent they fail to highlight the importance of liberty.
However, in the case of the United States, we find different motivations for seeking independence. Philosophers and writers lead this struggle, rather than military commanders. Men like Thomas Paine wrote literature in support of the moral argument for American independence, instead of assassinating government officials. Although there is blood and violence in America's struggle for autonomy, American independence was much more of an intellectual struggle than a physical one. The American love of liberty was evident in the country's most important documents; the Declaration of Independence speaks of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." And this love of liberty remains prevalent in modern America -- the US Bill of Rights is widely studied in American public schools, and the United States is referred to by the songwriter, as the "Land of the Free". This is a clear example of a country's history informing and determining its cultural values and customs.
To conclude, a nation is made of its people, past and present and therefore has no attachment to its physical landmarks. To preserve a nation, the rigorous study of its customs, its language and its history must be practised.
Nice reading, I love your content. This is really a fantastic and informative post. Keep it up and if you are looking for Land Capability Assessment Cardinia then visit The 4 Spheres.
ReplyDelete