One of the most influential doctrines in history is that all humans are divided into groups called nations. It is an ethical and philosophical doctrine in itself, and is the starting point for the ideology of nationalism. The nationals are the members of the "nation" and are distinguished by a common identity, and almost always by a common origin, in the sense of ancestry, parentage or descent. The national identity refers both to the distinguishing features of the group, and to the individual’s sense of belonging to it. A very wide range of criteria is used, with very different applications. Small differences in pronunciation may be enough to categorize someone as a member of another nation. On the other hand, two people may be separated by difference in personalities, belief systems, geographical locations, time and even spoken language, yet regard themselves and be seen by others, as members of the same nation. Nationals are considered to share certain traits and norms of behavior, certain duties toward other members, and certain responsibilities for the actions of the members of the same nation.

Nations extend across generations, and include the dead as full members. More vaguely, they are assumed to include future generations. No-one fixes a timespan, but a nation is typically several centuries old. Past events are evaluated in this context, for instance by referring to "our soldiers" in conflicts which took place hundreds of years ago.

The term nation is often used synonymously with ethnic group (sometimes "ethnos"), but although ethnicity is now one of the most important aspects of cultural or social identity for the members of most nations, people with the same ethnic origin may live in different nation-states and be treated as members of separate nations for that reason. National identity is often disputed, down to the level of the individual.

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NYT > U.S.

Detroit’s Mayor Will Leave Office and Go to Jail
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:33:20 -0000
Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick’s guilty plea ended eight months of political turmoil but also opened a new era of uncertainty for Detroit.
McCain Vows to End ‘Partisan Rancor’
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:50:25 -0000
Senator John McCain sought to move from a convention marked by an effort to reassure the party base to an appeal to a broader electorate.
New Orleans Starts Up, but Not at Full Power
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:08:46 -0000
Evacuees continued to stream home after a hurricane scare that left it with little serious damage but knocked out power to tens of thousands of homes.

Christian Science Monitor | Top Stories

In dispirited Detroit, mayor pleads guilty
Plea deal ousts Kilpatrick after an eight-month scandal. Interim mayor inherits a city in a slump.
As Gustav evacuees return to New Orleans, a varied homecoming
Many find their houses are fairly intact. Power loss is still a problem.
France gives boost to Israeli-Syrian talks
French President Sarkozy, in Damascus this week, was also thought to be seeking Syria's help in dealing with Iran's nuclear program.

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