Key Concepts in Nation-States, National Identity, and Self-Determination

Nation

A group of people who share a sense of belonging, collective identity, and often common language, culture, history, beliefs, or a desire to govern themselves. A nation does not necessarily have its own country.

Tibet

A region on the Tibetan Plateau whose people developed a distinct language, culture, religion, and forms of government partly because geographic barriers isolated them. Many Tibetans see themselves as a nation.

Ethnic nation

A nation based mainly on shared ethnicity, such as common ancestry, race, culture, language, and customs.

Creation story

A shared story or event that helps people explain the beginning, growth, or "coming of age" of their nation and creates pride and unity.

Self-determination

The power or right of a people to control their own affairs and decide their own political future.

Ethnic nationalism

The belief that a nation is based on inherited characteristics such as ancestry, ethnicity, culture, language, and traditions. Membership is seen as something people are born into.

Nation-state

A country with physical borders and a central government. It may contain one nation or several nations.

Sovereignty

The political authority and power of a people or state to control its own affairs without outside control.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

The founder and first president of the modern Turkish Republic. He helped create an independent Turkish state and introduced reforms such as voting rights, new laws, women's rights, and Turkish as the official language.

International

Between countries or nation-states.

Dene Declaration

A 1975 statement in which the Dene said they were a distinct nation and sought self-determination and independence within Canada.

Michael Ignatieff

A Canadian politician, political scientist, and historian who explained the difference between ethnic nationalism and civic nationalism.

Collective

A group of people who share an identity, interest, characteristic, or sense of belonging.

Métis

A distinct Indigenous people/nation in Canada with their own identity, culture, language, way of life, and history of self-government.

National identity

A kind of collective identity in which many people identify with the symbols, stories, values, and beliefs of a nation.

Patriotism

Love of and commitment to one's country. It can include criticizing the country because you want it to improve.

Québécois

The people of Québec, especially French-speaking Quebecers, whom the Canadian government recognized in 2006 as a nation within a united Canada.

Collective identity

The part of identity based on membership in groups, such as cultural, linguistic, religious, school, family, or national groups.

Individual identity

The personal traits, beliefs, experiences, interests, and relationships that make someone a unique individual.

Linguistic

Related to language. A linguistic understanding of nation is based on a shared language and the shared worldview it can create.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

The part of Canada's Constitution that states important rights, freedoms, values, and beliefs Canadians agree to live by, including freedom of religion, expression, assembly, and association.

Ethnic

Related to shared racial, cultural, linguistic, or ancestral characteristics.

Civic nation

A nation made up of citizens who choose to live together under shared laws, political values, rights, and beliefs, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, language, or culture.

National myths

Shared stories, ideas, and beliefs about a nation that may or may not be completely accurate but help shape national identity and a sense of belonging.

Cultural

Related to a people's shared ways of life, including customs, traditions, arts, food, beliefs, and behaviours.

Civic nationalism

The belief that a nation should include everyone who accepts its political values, laws, and citizenship, regardless of their background.