Can a group imagine itself as a nation while lacking an independent state?
Answer & explanation
Yes; community and state institutions are distinct.
A claim to collective self-rule can precede or differ from institutional control. Separating those claims helps analyze nationalism. It does not decide the legitimacy of a particular claim.
Imagined communities
Chapter 1 · Introduction
AI reviewed · sources pending · version 9
Generally accurate according to an AI review. Sources and this book association have not been verified.