Final answer:
Nations are considered 'imagined communities' because they are defined by a shared culture and history that fosters a sense of unity among individuals who may never meet, not because of physical disconnection, governance absence, or constant change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anthropologists understand nations as imagined communities because they are bound by a shared culture and history, not because they are physically disconnected, lack any form of governance, or are constantly changing. While the term 'imagined' might suggest that these communities are not real, it actually points to a sense of unity and identity that is constructed through practices, rituals, and influences from state and mass media. This concept, introduced by Benedict Anderson, illustrates that national identity is a socially constructed sense of belonging that is fostered by shared stories, commemorations, and the common experiences that connect citizens of a nation-state, even though they may never meet each other face-to-face.
Globalization has also contributed to the development of transnational forms of imagined communities, which go beyond national borders. These communities are often joined together by common causes or ideologies, such as the global environmental movement. As individuals connect through various dimensions like ethnicity, technology, finance, media, and ideology, they form connections that construct realms of imagined communities that coexist with the traditional concept of nationhood.