What Makes a Nation?

Recent comments by billionaire businessman Jim Ratcliffe — claiming that the UK has been “colonised by immigrants” — have reignited fierce debate about identity, borders, and belonging. But beneath the headlines lies a deeper philosophical question:

What actually makes a nation?

Is a nation defined by shared ancestry?
Shared values?
Common culture?
Language?
Laws?
History?
Or simply by borders on a map?
Can a nation change and remain itself?
Is national identity something fixed— or something constantly evolving?
Is patriotism about preservation, or adaptation?

From civic nationalism to ethnic nationalism, from cosmopolitanism to communitarianism, we’ll explore the philosophical foundations beneath one of the most emotionally charged issues of our time.

No speakers - just grab a drink and get chatting.

Remember to tackle the argument, not the individual.