The National Being: Some Thoughts on an Irish Polity is a philosophical and political work by George William Russell, written under his well-known pseudonym, Æ. In the book, Russell reflects on Ireland’s political future and considers what kind of society could best express the country’s cultural identity, economic needs, and national aspirations. Rather than concentrating solely on political independence, he argues that genuine nationhood requires the development of a healthy social and economic life for ordinary people.

Russell emphasizes cooperation, community responsibility, rural development, and the importance of small producers and local enterprise. He criticizes excessive individualism and economic systems that allow wealth and power to become concentrated in the hands of a few. Drawing on his experience with the Irish cooperative movement, he presents cooperation as a practical foundation for a more equitable and self-reliant Ireland.

The work also explores broader questions of democracy, education, citizenship, culture, and spiritual development. Russell believes that a nation should cultivate not only political institutions but also a shared sense of purpose and social responsibility. Combining political philosophy with idealistic reflection, The National Being offers a distinctive vision of an Ireland built upon cooperation, cultural confidence, economic independence, and the development of its people.