Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by zajio1am 853 days ago
I think it is more correct to use 'UK' (or any other country) just for government and its institutions than for the body of its citizens.
2 comments

I think the post you're replying to is rightfully observing that that semantic ambiguity creates harm, by equating the position of a country's government to the position of a country's people. Being more specific and saying "a faction within the UK government wants to..." seems like a better framing for any discussion.
A minor quibble. The UK is a 'state', not a 'country'.

It comprises of countries: Scotland, England, Wales, and a small chunk of Ireland.

As recognized by the rest of the world, the United Kingdom actually is a country.

Internally may be different, but technically it is a country.

A political union of four member countries — but still recognized as a country.

International football being one exception to this.