Final answer:
Ernest Gellner proposed three criteria that are pivotal in creating and maintaining nations: a shared culture, political sovereignty, and a distinct economy. These elements foster unity, ensure governance, and maintain overall prosperity in a nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earnest Gellner, a social anthropologist, proposed three criteria that concretize and reproduce nations, focusing on culture, politics, and economy. First, he proposed that a shared culture, including language and traditions, played a major part in creating and maintaining a nation. He believed that a shared identity fostered unity and cooperation within a nation. Second, Gellner highlighted the role of political sovereignty, suggesting that for a nation to exist and thrive, it must have a level of political independence and should be able to govern its own affairs. Lastly, Gellner indicated that a distinct economy that caters to the needs and interests of its citizenry is critical in creating and maintaining a nation. This provides a nation’s citizenry with livelihoods as well as contributing to the nation's overall prosperity. In short, according to Gellner, a nation is held together by shared culture, political sovereignty, and a vibrant economy.
Learn more about Gellner's Theories on Nations