The Nation: Impossible to Define?

About this Research Topic

Background

The study of nationalism remains paralyzed by a century-old definitional crisis. Prevailing frameworks persistently conflate the observable appearances of a nation (e.g., shared culture, territory, institutions, or subjective belonging) with its constitutive essence. This fundamental epistemological error has generated insoluble theoretical contradictions and obscured a clear distinction between nations and ethnic groups.

This research proposes a paradigm shift to resolve this crisis by defining a nation as a population bound by a foundational myth of its inherent right to sovereignty. This sovereignty myth is the generative principle from which all other characteristics—cultural symbols, shared economies, and, crucially, political claims to territory—emanate as observable manifestations. This definition also provides an epistemologically rigorous distinction from ethnic groups, which are defined by a different generative myth: one of common descent.

This framework allows us to reinterpret the field’s classics, showing why other theorists mistake the manifestations for the source. Furthermore, it models how national identity is perpetuated through a cyclical process of reinforcement: a sovereignty claim leads to border projection and political action, which drives homogenization and identity formation, thereby reinforcing the original myth. This cycle adapts to various historical and economic contexts, explaining both nationalism's potent persistence and its changing forms.

By identifying this core mechanism, the theory provides a coherent tool for understanding a wide range of phenomena, from the struggles of stateless nations and sovereignty disputes to the centralist rhetoric of established states. Ultimately, this approach exposes nationalism’s fundamental role as a dynamic, adaptive force.

To advance this theoretical exploration, we welcome contributions addressing themes such as:
- Applying Kantian epistemology in defining the nation
- Historical and critical analyses of the concept of sovereignty
- National identity and its reinforcement
- The nation from the perspective of social ontology
- Applications to contemporary and historical sovereignty conflicts

The primary focus of this research is on theoretical and epistemological discourses on sovereignty and identity. It excludes ethnographic or region-specific studies that are not directly engaged with these core conceptual problems

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: national identity, sovereignty myth, Kantian epistemology, ethnic groups, identity formation, conceptual analysis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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