Idea of a Nation State: What Makes a Country? | Akshobh Giridharadas | TEDxTufts

Through the lens of his experience living in the vastly different countries of India and Singapore, Akshobh explores the idea of countries. He challenges our previous beliefs of what a country is and what it can be. A journalist by profession, Akshobh Giridharadas was based out of Singapore as a reporter and producer with Channel News Asia, Singapore covering international business news. He writes on diverse topics such as geopolitics, business, tech and sports. His previous endeavours include working at ESPN STAR and FOX networks. He is a TEDx and Toastmasters public speaker and is currently at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts specialising in international affairs. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@himeshk212]

Fascinating! In my view, the nation states biggest defining characteristic is economic stability, which assures general stability in the rest of the population

[@sadenka]

That was very inspiring, thanks to Mr. Countriologist!

[@arjunmalhotra4814]

Wonderful. Well said

[@sebian4419]

Great speech! My God...

[@ArtsAlign]

We should all come together to defend the nation-state, which the radical libertarian right would love to see dissolved... no issuance of its own currency and control of its destiny, no Constitution, no human rights, no citizenship. "In a libertarian society, there is no commons or public space. There are property lines, not borders. When it comes to real property and physical movement across such real property, there are owners, guests, licensees, business invitees and trespassers - not legal and illegal immigrants.” ~ Jeff Deist, president of the Mises Institute The main reason they want to destroy our government institutions is because Congress shares the authority to create its own currency and the private banking industry hates that. If we reclaim the State, kick out the Wall St moneylenders and use fiscal policy responsibly again rather than be forced to rely on credit cards, we would thrive again as a healthy society. Stephanie Kelton's new book, The Deficit Myth, is a NYT bestseller for a reason. We're done with the thieving class who want to destroy the nation-state and install regions and charter cities.

[@tegaamos2962]

Ok k

[@johnjohny1]

I love that there is no cc cuz even google is struggling in understanding with what he is saying.

[@KyleNewton-zo1wy]

(FACTS OVA FEELINGS). The NATION Behaves Well if it Treats it's NATURAL RESOURCES az ASSETS which it Must Turn Ova to the Next GENERATION Increased and Not Imparied in Value

[@takashi.mizuiro]

comment here if school made you watch this

[@hamidhamidi3134]

but India already disintegrated into many independent national states. this speech was too nice but very little substance.

[@chrysigabriel543]

I don't understand half of the things he says

[@jamesphiri7372]

Chrysi Meow who cares if understand him or not.

[@takashi.mizuiro]

lol same

[@yuhetian7729]

I’m not alone...

[@nicholaschappell819]

He tells about the nation state yet his attitude is clearly against the nation state.

[@scottmcdonald6201]

I dunno, I'd say Switzerland is a much better country than India.

[@kartiksolanki5400]

Depends on factors....

[@BadassBikerOwns]

Actually India does have one significant religion. 80% of Indians are Hindus and 92% of Hindus are Indians. Many would say that's the glue of India. India also has a famous common enemy, these days it's two. As for Singapore, 75% of the population is ethnic Chinese, and they try so hard to make sure that the number does not go down, despite the lower birth rate of ethnic Chinese compared to other ethnicities.

[@akshobhgiridharadas4560]

I think you're mistaken - it is not about a dominant religion, it's about not having one state religion. It has also has the third largest muslim population, which at one point was second largest and exceeded the entire population of Pakistan. On the enemy, you're confusing geopolitical thorny issues with state led enemies - which is how other states were formed.

[@BadassBikerOwns]

@@akshobhgiridharadas4560 dude, quit pretending like it's not true. India IS synonymous to Hinduism, even if the constitution says that its secular. It's not just the religion, but also the culture and history. As mentioned by Henry Kissinger, India is a Hindu Civilization. There's a reason why Jinnah wanted a separate country, or why Modi has won twice. Going back in time, there's a reason why Indian empires found it hard to expand outside South Asia and vice versa for outside empires till recently. The same with religion.

[@akshobhgiridharadas4560]

@@BadassBikerOwns I think your understand is slightly reductionist in this. If Hinduism's birth may be central to India, but it doesn't mean India's identity is Hindu. Kissinger statement was one one-off and in a different context. The fact that India has been a secular republic for 65 years before Modi dilutes your argument. There are 22% minorities in India and have held the highest office in the land. Three of them have been President, Home Ministers, Defence Ministers, MLAs, MPs, Cricket Captains, Bollywood superstars and captains of Industry. You're confusing cultural identity with precluding other growths.

[@marianna094]

@@akshobhgiridharadas4560 your ted talk is amazing, you have a fascinating idea of what makes a nation-state.

[@akshobhgiridharadas4560]

@@marianna094 Thank you

[@Sambadk55]

Is India a democracy ? Why so many poor and caste differences ?