ElI5: what does it mean to be a country?

696 views

I’m serious. I don’t understand why humans draw imaginary bidders. I don’t understand why humans fight and lose their lives defending those borders. It’s not “cultural identity”. For example, people in either side of Punjab are more similar to each other than say people in the South of India. And further, i don’t understand how countries can be bought and sold like the “Louisiana purchase”. I mean who’s paying for what? It would be great if someone could recommend some books about the idea of nationhood.

In: 0

14 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

All places are concepts. They are convenient when it comes to providing services for the residents. But they become a ridiculous way of dividing people with sometimes horrible consequences (genocide, war, etc.)

You are viewing 1 out of 14 answers, click here to view all answers.