NationalismNationalism is one of the most pressing of global problems, exacerbating ethnic conflicts and increasing the likelihood of war. It is also basic to defining the rights of democratic citizenship, and can be a source of inspiration and social solidarity. In this fascinating overview, Craig Calhoun considers nationalism's diverse manifestations, its history, and its relationship to imperialism and colonialism. A way of conceiving identities that is fundamental to the modern world, nationalism is distinct from kinship and ethnicity. It is an international discourse that shapes domestic politics and relations between states. Drawing on examples ranging from Eritrea, the former Yugoslavia, and China to France and Germany, Calhoun clarifies the ways national boundaries and identities have become central to the modern era, how they relate to the development of state power, and how a host of social movements and government policy makers try to make use of them. Calhoun also challenges attempts to "debunk" nationalism that fail to grasp why it has such power and centrality in modern life. |
Contents
The Modernity and Diversity of Nationalisms | 9 |
Essentialism | 18 |
Kinship Ethnicity and Categorical Identities | 29 |
Nationalist Claims to History | 51 |
The rise of the modern state | 66 |
Universalism and Parochialism | 86 |
Imperialism Colonialism and the WorldSystem | 104 |
Conclusion | 123 |
9 | 129 |
| 144 | |
| 152 | |
| 157 | |
| 158 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Academie Française Anderson anti-colonial argued autonomy basic basis became Beta Israel Calhoun capitalism categorical identities China Chinese citizens claims collective identity commonly communist conflict constituted Croatia crucial discourse of nationalism discursive formation distinct domestic economic elites empire English English Civil War Eritrea especially Ethiopia ethnic cleansing ethnic groups ethnic identities Europe European example Fichte France French French Revolution Gellner global Han Chinese helped idea of nation imperial important India indigenous individuals integration international discourse interpersonal relationships Islamic kinship and descent language large-scale legitimacy linguistic linked loyalty membership mobilization Muslim nation-state national culture national identity nationalist discourse nationalist ideology nationalist movements nineteenth century organized political community popular potential primordial produce relations relationships Revolution rhetoric of nationalism self-determination sense Serb Serbian shaped simply social society solidarity sovereignty Soviet Union specific struggle Tallensi territory theory traditional United unity Western Yugoslavia