Distinguishing Nation and State: Strategies for Nation-Building
(Essay Question: Distinguish between nation and state, and discuss the major strategies for nation-building. (5+5)=10)
Nation and State
A nation is a community of people united by the same social, cultural, and historical identity. In contrast, a state is the totality of a definite geography, population, government, sovereignty, and international recognition. Although nation and state may seem synonymous in general understanding, there are many differences between the two, which can be outlined as follows:
Nation-Building Strategies
Nation-building is the process of developing and utilizing a common social, cultural, and historical identity while respecting and protecting the differences among all citizens to unite them as one whole nation. To achieve this, the following strategies should be adopted:
- Development of respect and love for the nation among citizens
- By the state adopting policies of identification, recognition, protection, non-discrimination, and equality for diversity.
- Integration of society
- By developing infrastructure that connects different communities, utilizing mass communication, and arranging inclusive structures, plans, budgets, and service delivery systems.
- Modernization of society
- By ending superstitions and fatalism, and developing an educated, civilized, and modern society.
- Practice of a neutral state system
- By developing a state that is neutral and impartial on cultural, linguistic, religious, ethnic, and regional bases.
- Development of common culture and social values
- By developing common culture and social values that are acceptable to all amidst social and cultural diversity.
- Development of national standards
- By developing and promoting other standards of common identity such as the national flag, national anthem, national sports, national heritage, etc.
- Economic prosperity and development
- By bringing qualitative improvement in the citizens' standard of living through economic prosperity and development.
- Governance reform
- By making state institutions and structures capable, effective, and accountable, and maintaining good governance.
Conclusion
Nation-building is a means to maintain national unity and integrity by strengthening citizens' love and dedication to the nation through the development of harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect among citizens. For a country like Nepal with a diverse society, it is extremely necessary to give special importance to nation-building.
