Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
What is a Nation?
Position‹4 of 4

Nations mean coercion

This position holds that nations are fundamentally tools of coercion — a means for elites to control the population. It argues that nationalism shades into illiberalism and imperialism, that 'the working men have no country', and that all states are ultimately instruments of coercive power.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. Nationalism is illiberalism
    Nationalism promotes illiberal anti-democratic politics. By mostly focusing on the interests of the majority, the minority's concerns are not recognized.
  2. All states are tools of coercion
    Nations are just another form of state and states are coercive.
  3. Nationalism is imperialism
    Nationalism is used to justify empires and imperialism. Even after decolonisation, the persistence of the nation as a model of political organisation means imperialism persists.
  4. The working men have no country
    Key Marxist thinkers argue class experience and interests transcend national boundaries, and belief in national differences distracts the working class from their real interests.