Why is it desirable to imagine the nation in political rather than cultural terms?

Reason 1- The ideal that we cherish most in democracy – namely, equal treatment and liberty for all – would be severely limited if we consider the culture that binds us together as a nation.

Reason 2- The ideal that we cherish most in democracy – namely, equal treatment and liberty for all – would be boosted exponentially if we consider the culture that binds us together as a nation.

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

Only Reason 1 is correct.

The correct answer is Option 1 - Only Reason 1 is correct.

Reason 1- The ideal that we cherish most in democracy – namely, equal treatment and liberty for all – would be severely limited if we consider the culture that binds us together as a nation.

Many people believe that a shared political vision about the state and society we wish to create is not enough to bind individuals together as a nation. They seek instead a shared cultural identity, such as a common language, or common descent. There is no doubt that speaking the same language makes it easier for us to communicate with each other and sharing the same religion gives us a set of common beliefs and social practices. Observing the same festivals, seeking the same holidays, and holding the same symbols valuable can bring people together, but it can also pose a threat to the values that we cherish in a democracy. The ideal that we cherish most in democracy – namely, equal treatment and liberty for all – would be severely limited if we consider the culture that binds us together as a nation. Hence, it is desirable to imagine the nation in political rather than cultural terms. That is, democracies need to emphasise and expect loyalty to a set of values that may be enshrined in the Constitution of the country rather than adherence to a particular religion, race or language.