Theoretical Problems of the Development and Convergence of Nations

The truly socialist solution of the nationality question in our country — the abolition of all forms of inequality of nations and the establishment of friendship and fraternal cooperation among peoples — is of worldwide historical importance. The scale and significance of this question are testified to if only by the fact that today there are about 160 states in the world and more than 2,000 nations, nationalities, and ethnic groups. Some linguists hold that the peoples of the earth express themselves in over 7,000 different languages (this probably includes dialects). In any case, it is quite obvious that most — one might say the overwhelming majority of — nations, peoples, and ethnic groups live in multinational states. On this basis alone, the nationality question occupies a very important place in the life of society.