UPSC Polity Question
Which of the following statements is the most appropriate description of the term "Nation"?
A. It is a legal political entity that fulfills the security and welfare need of its people.
B. It is a political entity that necessarily consists of four elements-population, territory, government, and sovereignty.
C. It is defined as an area of a land that is controlled by its own government.
D. It is a community of people naturally linked together by certain collective beliefs, aspirations and imaginations of its members.
Correct Answer:
D. It is a community of people naturally linked together by certain collective beliefs, aspirations and imaginations of its members.
Explanation:
While 'State' is a legal-political entity (as described in options A and B), a 'Nation' is primarily a socio-cultural concept. It refers to a group of people who feel a sense of unity based on shared elements like history, language, culture, and collective aspirations.