Is Finland a Real or Imagined Nation

1118 Words5 Pages
Dullaghan Group A Is Finland a real or imagined nation? The Oxford English Dictionary defines ”nation” as a large aggregate of communities and individuals united by factors such as common descent, language, culture, history, or occupation of the same territory, so as to form a distinct people. Now also: such a people forming a political state. In this essay I will put forward the reasons that I believe make Finland a real nation by referring to the factors listed in the definition. Finland has statehood, but that does not automatically mean nationhood in the true sense of the word, as a state may comprise several distinct ethnic or cultural groups. Of course there is more than one ethnic or cultural group in Finland as no society can claim to be truly homogenous. Among the distinct ethnic groups that make up Finland are the Finnish- Swedish whose influence in Finland can be dated back to 1240 when they arrived to establish Roman Christianity. After a long period of conflict with the Russians the Peace of Pahkinasaari established the border between Finland and Russia, and Finland as a nation began to take shape. Since then Finland has had a growing sense of “self” which culminated in a surge of nationalism when Sweden was forced to hand over the territory to Russia, who in turn granted it Grand Duchy status and a degree of autonomy to secure the Finns loyalty. What actually is nationalism? Hugh Seton-Watson concluded that no “scientific definition” of the nation can be devised; but is that not a somewhat clinical analysis? The same rationale might be applied to an interpretation of religion. Religious belief stems from a faith or a sense of belonging to something greater. Nationalism, though it does not have a creed or a doctrine is a powerful ideal that comes from an historic connection with land or territory, and also fosters a sense of belonging to
Open Document