What is a Nation?

This seems to be a question very few of us have asked ourselves, though many of us have been quite willing to discuss whether or not Quebec is one. Very few of us have even discussed what we mean by Quebec, are we defining it geographically, or by its inhabitants, or any number of possible ways?

In the few short weeks since Mr. Ignatieff brought the idea of Quebec being a nation to the national agenda (I consider this to have previously been a relatively dormant issue), we have had a great number of people weigh in on the issue. Just recently Mr. Harper said his piece, and indicated that he believed Quebec to be a nation. Mr. Harper went further, he tabled a motion that, if passed, would give the House of Commons’ support to this assertion.

In this mess of rhetoric I have not heard one person try to define “nation” and what it might mean in this context. Maybe to some it just seems obvious, but I believe that we might all be better off if we clarified the definition and how Quebec, or is it French Canadians, meet this definition. Once we have established this definition should we attempt to see how it fits with other groups in Canada and pass similar motions?

I guess my main concern is that choices are being made before we have fully evaluated what is being decided. Without groundwork, in this case a definition of the contentious term, we cannot have an informed or even truly useful discussion. What we are getting is just raw emotion and political posturing; something reminiscent of the now criticized post-September 11 anti-terrorism laws. Taking our time and making sure that the correct, as opposed to politically expedient, decision is made is important, as it is quite likely that this issue won’t just go away after this vote.