Can a nation really be defined as a nation if it has no restrictions as to who is allowed access/entry inside?

Question

Must a nation have established borders, be able to set limits for and control over whom/how many "outside" people are allowed inside its' borders, and be able to secure its' borders in order to actually be defined as a country? Can a country truly exist if, by definition, it really has open borders and open access by all? Are there any examples (ignoring the current immigration situation here in the US) of any major countries that have or ever have had open access inside its borders/territory and, if so, what was the effect of this policy/phenomenon to the nation and its' citizens?

Answer 1

There are no examples of even minor countries or tribal territories either.

If you consider the current situation in the EU, you might say they have open borders, but you have to have a visa to enter the EU unless you are a citizen of an EU country. In addition, when you consider that the United States is a union of countries/states, then I guess we have that situation, but again, you have to have a visa to the US or be a citizen in order to travel freely from state to state. Or at least in theory you have to have a visa.

As to Rome (the empire) having open borders, that simply is not true. In fact, according to some accounts, the fall of Rome began when the Vandals and the Visigoths started to push across the borders. They were not invading Rome to take it over, but because they wanted a better life and believed that Rome offered it.

Answer 2

This would be a stretch because of other issues but Rome was pretty much open. The restrictions were not based on people it was based more on gender and like race. In other words slaves were not even counted. But Rome viewed allowing citizenship as a way to enhance their country. It wasn't ALWAYS like that but when it was implemented it was a tool used to strengthen the nation.

I haven't all the knowledge as I once had in my memory.. But im sure if you look it up you'll see what im talking about. I love Yahoo Answers cause it gets you to recall things you may have forgotten.

I think if you look at this you'll notice that like the US and Europe, with the number of births down. They'll be using similar methods of inclusion just to have a decent size population in the near future. The US's population would be dwarfed by that of India and China without immigration.

Thanks for helping me out by the way! And im so sorry I dont have all the info on Rome.

Answer 3

Yes, a country can have recognizable borders and still allow people in and out (although I'm not certain about zero restrictions). In the U.S., you can freely travel from state to state. These states have borders, but no restrictions on who can cross them, so the country you mention could be set up this same way.

Answer 4

You can just walk or drive across the border from California into Mexico without going through immigration or any inspection check and Mexico is still considered a nation.

Answer 5

A NATION IS DEFINED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE WORKING FOR THE COUNTRY'S DEVELOPMENT IN ALL FIELDS(POSITIVE).SO THAT PRETTY MUCH MEANS THAT NO MATTER WHERE OR WHICH COUNTRY U ARE FROM IF U WORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH U LIVE IT CAN STILL BE CALLED A NATION .
BESIDES AREN'T WE ALL FROM THE SAME PLANET. JUST BECAUSE WE WERE BORN AND RAISED UP IN ONLY A PART OF IT,IT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T BE FAITHFUL TO OTHER NATIONS

Answer 6

thanks for just starting to wake up. And the answer is no but the guy above me thinks moving between the states is the same as moving between countries.

Last I checked state borders do have restrictions just like you can be arrested for taking minors across state lines for an abortion as they just passed.