The terms “state”, “nation” and “country” are often used interchangeably, but they have discernable differences. An independent state is the same as an independent country, while a nation is a group of people who share a language, culture, institutions, history and religion. A nation-state is when a nation of people has its own distinct country.
The terms “state”, “nation” and “country” are often used interchangeably by those unfamiliar with the proper use of these terms. To further muddy the waters, phrases like independent state and nation-state are also often inserted. While these terms are similar and easily confused, a few discernable differences set them apart. In some cases, “State” and “Country” may be used to describe the same area, a “nation” being a slightly less defined term.
When used with an initial capital letter, State has a very different meaning than what is commonly known among US citizens. An independent state is the same as an independent country: it is an area that has internationally recognized borders and its own government. It must also be recognized by other countries and have sovereignty, meaning it is not under the power of any other country. Other requirements include permanent residents, a transportation system, an education system, and an organized economic system. It issues its own money and is able to regulate both domestic and foreign trade.
Without seed capital, the term has a very different meaning and is usually used to describe a smaller division of a larger country. Using the United States of America as an example, America is the governing country while each of the 50 states is a smaller defined territory within the larger government. The term “province” may also be used in some countries, such as Canada.
Many countries also have territories. Australia, for example, has six states and two large territories. While a territory is under the government of a larger nation, it usually lacks the same governing powers that a state or province will have.
The term “nation” is a little more difficult to define. A nation is a group of people who share a language, culture, institutions, history and religion. These groups are larger than a single tribe or small community and often encompass an entire country. When a nation of people has its own distinct country, it is referred to as a nation-state. Examples include Japan, Germany and France. Some countries may have multiple nations, as is the case with Canada, and not all nations have their own state.
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