What is a Nation? | Part 2: How do 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia, 🇹🇷Turkey, and 🇳🇬Nigeria hold together?

In the previous article, we compared Japan's culture-continuous nation with America's ideology-based nation.

This time, we will look at Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Nigeria as examples of complex national integration in the world.

Each nation has its own unique integration model based on a combination of history, religion, ethnicity, and institutions, which cannot be fully explained by a simple classification of ideology-based or culture-continuous types.

1. Saudi Arabia: A nation held together by religion and monarchy

Sources of integration

• Religious integration: Sunni Wahhabism is at the center of the legal system and social norms

• Rule by monarchy: An authoritarian state centered on the King

• Tribal networks: The relationship between the royal family and major tribes is the foundation of political integration

Characteristics

• A 'religious-type + authoritarian-type nation' where religion and power are closely linked

• National consciousness is formed through religious norms and loyalty to the monarchy

• While there is commonality in daily culture and customs, integration based on ideals of freedom and equality is restricted

Challenges

• It is difficult to harmonize with diversity and individual freedom

• Pressure for change is increasing among the younger generation and in urban areas

2. Turkey: Integration through a dual axis of ideology and culture

Sources of integration

• Modern national ideology: Kemal Atatürk's secularism and nationalism

• Ethnic and religious diversity: Coexistence of the Turkish majority and ethnic minorities such as the Kurds

• Cultural and historical continuity: Inheriting the culture and institutions of the Ottoman Empire

Characteristics

• Hybrid of Ideal-type and Cultural-continuity type

  • While attempting integration through secular state ideals, Islamic culture and traditions remain deeply rooted in daily life.

• National consciousness depends on both 'unity as Turks' and 'the continuation of Islamic culture'.

Challenges

• Issues with ethnic minorities and friction between religion and secularism.

• Social tension is prone to arise due to dual-axis integration.

3. Nigeria: Attempts at Institutional Integration in an Ideal-type State

Sources of Integration

• Modern State Building: Integrating multi-ethnic and multi-religious groups within national borders after independence from British colonial rule.

• Religious and Ethnic Diversity: Northern Islam, Southern Christianity, and over 200 ethnic groups.

• Political System: Adjusting diversity through a federal system and presidential system.

Characteristics

• Elements of an ideal-type state are central.

  • Attempting to integrate multi-ethnic and multi-religious groups through constitutions and institutions.

• However, integration through daily life, religion, and culture is weak, and regional divisions are prominent.

Challenges

• Actual integration is fragile, with high risks of religious/ethnic conflict and separatism.

• Economic disparities and security issues are also obstacles to integration.

4. Summary: Complex and Hybrid Models of State Integration

Country | Axis of Integration | Formation of National Consciousness | Characteristics | Main Challenges | Saudi Arabia | Religion + Monarchy | Loyalty to religion and monarchy | Religious type + Authoritarian type | Friction with freedom and diversity | Turkey | Modern state ideals + Culture | Compatibility of secularism and cultural tradition | Hybrid type | Ethnic minority issues, religious friction | Nigeria | Constitution/System (Ideal-type) | Regional, religious, and ethnic adjustment | Primarily ideal-type but fragile | Religious/ethnic conflict, division

• Compared to Japan or the United States, these countries are not integrated along a single axis, but rather through a complex combination of religion, power, institutions, and culture.

• A simple classification of ideological states versus cultural-continuity states is not enough to understand them; adjusting multiple axes is essential for domestic integration and stability.

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