Here in Canada, we are hearing much about nationhood, or at least
about nations. We have the
First Nations,
the
Quebec nation,
the
nation of Alberta,
and more
(Newfoundland?).
We hear also of the Catholics, who used to be the Roman Catholics,
and of course there are Greek Orthodox Catholics, Coptic Catholics,
and more. The word "catholic" is still used to mean "universal", as
in "catholic tastes", and "nation" means that beyond our borders,
all are foreigners. I'm afraid Humpty Dumpty has been at it again,
with his "words mean what I mean them to mean", and his firm
conclusion that what matters is "who is to be master -- that's all".
It is easy to insist on definitions, even legal definitions, in
matters such as these, but in every case we can see a struggle
for dominance, or at least for survival, and we find ourselves back
for another reading of
Instincts of the Herd.
One thing is certain: the legal profession will always be with us.
It is apparent that each of us wants to belong, and to defend the
herd or group with which we identify ourselves. Of course, since
each of us belongs to several herds, we cannot always be sure to which
herd we are loyal at any one time. Is that herd geographic,
ethnic, religious, economic, or other? Wolves don't have this
problem, nor do ants. But we have this problem in abundance,
even with the sexes, which now are three, or is it four?
So who are you? Who I am depends on where I am, and with whom
I am. All right -- like the rest of us, I'm not sure.
