Many articles in which the writers refer to one or the other nation as “great nation” appear on daily basis. The internet is full of these pieces. The nations mentioned as great ones are often very different from each other. Though, American writers seem to have the most profound habit of using this word connection. Of course, they always refer to their own nation. However, the question whether American nation is great or not does not trouble me at all. In my eyes, it is just caused by the way those authors were brought up. The question occupying my mind is how to define a great nation.

Probably everyone trying to come up with the answer will realize that there might be as many answers as there are people. Your neighbor’s perception will probably differ from yours and that of the other people living nearby. Also if you ask person from another country, you might get completely different answer. So, it is necessary to cover more than one idea in article devoted to this topic.

 Military power and influence

One way of measuring the nation’s greatness is to measure its military power and influence it has on the world. There are many people who hold this opinion. Some of them subconsciously as it seems to be the first reaction of most people. If someone doesn’t give it more though, he/she will usually take this for granted. Also, it has some logic and common sense to it. Stronger nation gets noticed by more people around the world and can force its opinions upon other nations (like Roman Empire, British Empire, USA, Russia and many other nations that rose to power throughout the ages) and thus can meet the criteria required by some people to call them great. These nations/empires are usually ones that remain well-known even thousands of years after they disappear.

Morality

Another way of measuring nation’s greatness is to measure its moral standards. Of course, not all individuals within the nation will hold the same standards and stay true to them. However, it is the majority’s (and their leader’s) values and actions that count. Even people taking this point of view will often differ in opinion. Some will take the side of nationalists while others will side with globalists, democrats etc. Nonetheless, they will judge the nation by this aspect often ignoring its influence on the world.

These are the two basic ideas as they are very general in nature. They in fact cover most (if not all) other variations that are more specific than this. It is true that there are people who will combine characteristics falling into both “camps” too. In fact author of this article is one of these people.

My own definition of great nation

It would be a lie if I told you that I spent hours forming my definition of a great nation. In fact, the decision was made in matter of minutes. As many other people, I hate when one country or nation usurps the right to mess with other nation’s existence too. So, the only nations deserving the right to be called great are those that mind their own business and choose diplomacy and compromise instead of threats and military offensives as those will always lead only to more disagreements and violence. Though, military card plays a role too. The nation that is unable to raise arms against foreign invasion is hardly worth being called great. However, it is willingness to defend the nation and its ideals that counts not the outcome of such action.

Even though I agree with the saying about the best defense, a nation that attacks another nation with it in mind will never be admired by me. The saying is very true and useful for times of war, but not for times of peace. If we all were to strike potential enemies preemptively, there wouldn’t be a day of peace on this planet, at least not until the humanity dies out. On the other hand, if all of us actually worked with others or at least did not mess with their way of life, Earth would be in peace.

Though, all nations and religious groups would have to follow this path. Sadly, this is very unlikely to happen. Nonetheless, it does not change my view on the definition of great nation.

Also, no nation remains great forever. At some point, values of its members will change. Their actions will clearly show this change and when that happens, that certain nation quits the “Great nations” list. So, the certain nation will deserve being called great only during certain periods of time.

To conclude, as there are many different definitions of great nation, you will have to make one for yourself. “What defines a great nation?” is highly subjective question. It will always remain so despite the fact that propaganda of some country and their regime will try to prove it different. As the centuries pass, nations and countries will appear and disappear. No definition, however imprinted into the minds of this or that nation’s members, will become the only eternal truth. Remember that when someone names a nation as great, you don’t have to agree. Make up your own mind and don’t let others indoctrinate you with their truth.