A nation can be defined as a political unit of a country or state based on a set of cultural traits, language, historical heritage, a common cultural history and, in most cases, an existing common political identity. A nation, like a state, is a political entity with a unique history, social context, and language that may not include political parties and governing bodies. A nation, like a state, has a unique language and cultural heritage.
Nations are generally described as political entities that have no common language or culture but have a political identity that typically includes the identity and values held by the country or states that make up the nation. In some cases, nations are ethnic identities or communities of inhabitants who have historically lived within the same region or who have cultural connections that span various linguistic and cultural boundaries. Nationhood thus is the sense of becoming a separate, self-identifying, and culturally specific country or community. Nationhood can thus be seen as the feeling of being a part of a group or community of peoples who share certain characteristics, traditions, and values. Nationhood can also be seen as the feeling of being connected to a set of historical experiences and societal definitions associated with the nation, its people, and its geographical location.
For any person to claim the idea that a nation exists, one would need to provide that particular definition. One could argue that a nation does not exist if one defines a nation-state as an entity, which exists to transact or otherwise deal with the political issues between independent states. Thus, to say that a nation does not exist is tantamount to saying that a nation-state does not exist. To say that a nation could exist is to say that a set of social and cultural traits or attributes that are necessary to shape a society and political economy that can provide for the basic needs of its citizenry and contribute to the political makeup of the state.