The objective of this article is to examine a series of issues related to contemporary research about the nation. The text is divided into four sections. The first section reviews two types of prevalent questions about the nation. Second, the debate about the relationship between elites and subalterns in the construction of this kind of political community and the methodological problems it entails is discussed. Third, a series of authors are analyzed to illustrate that nation building implies a specific type of political domination. The fourth and final section illustrates the relationship that exists between nation building and emotional repertories.