# A Nation Without a Society By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2025-01-28 Societies predate nation states. Humans have banded together for protection, collective benefit, and socialization throughout history. In the earliest manifestations of society, the groupings were familiar. As they grew, societies formed in geographic areas. Within these societies, there were deep connections based on shared beliefs. With the formation of nation states, societies became increasingly abstract. The geographic area covered by nation states is often varied. The people within nation states are often heterogenous. People hold a multitude of perspectives and beliefs. Due to all this, ideology becomes increasingly important to propagating a nation-state. Within the United States, our shared ideology centered around notions of truth, justice, individuality, integrity, and industry. Part of our ideology was that it didn’t matter if one was born in America or an immigrant; all citizens were equally American. To the degree that one’s success was a product of hard work and creativity, that success was lauded. There was a notion that we were in this together despite our many differences. Those days are over. We are now a nation without a society. Such a construction will not last. We will either figure out how to reconnect as a society or cease to exist as a nation. This is particularly ill-timed, as our current approach to international relations will isolate us as a nation. So, we are alienating long-established international allies just when we are self-destructing as a society. There will always be a few who will benefit from any eventuality, but make no mistake; such a situation will negatively affect most of the nation. Reestablishing a sense of society within our nation will not be easy. It seems improbable. Doing so will require more work than most in whatever era seem willing to give. Maybe things are too far gone, and it is no longer worth attempting to salvage our society. It is possible to toast marshmallows on the pyre of a once-great civilization. A nation without a society will fail. Due to our size, resources, and military strength, our failure will be consequential. The number of people, internally and internationally, who care is rapidly decreasing. As has been frequently stated, in a society, there is no us, and; there is only us. This is our problem to fix. It is real, pressing, and consequential. Care and connection are the crux of the solution. #### Related Items [[Society]] [[Nations]] [[Geography]] [[Caring]] [[Civilization]]