NationalismNationalism is one of the most pressing of global problems, exacerbating ethnic conflicts and encouraging war. It is also influential in defining the rights of democratic citizenship, and a source of inspiration and social solidarity. A way of conceiving identities that is fundamental to the modern world, nationalism is distinct from both kinship and ethnicity. It is an international discourse that shapes domestic politics as well as relations between states. Drawing on examples from Eritrea, Yugoslavia and China to France and Germany this book clarifies the way in which national boundaries and identities became central to the modern era, how they relate to development of state power, and how a host of different social movements and government policies try to make use of them. At the same time, the author also challenges attempts to "debunk" nationalism that fail to grasp why it maintains its power and centrality in modern life. |
Contents
The Modernity and Diversity of Nationalisms | 9 |
Kinship Ethnicity and Categorical Identities | 29 |
Nationalist Claims to History | 51 |
Copyright | |
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anti-colonial argued autonomy basic basis became Beta Israel Bosnia boundaries capitalism categorical identities China Chinese citizens claims collective identity colonial commonly communist conflict constituted Croat Croatia crucial defined discourse of nationalism 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 German global Han Chinese helped idea of nation imperial important India individuals integration interpersonal relationships Islamic Kedourie kinship and descent language leaders legitimacy linked loyalty maps membership mobilization modern nationalism Muslim nation-state national culture national identity nationalist discourse nationalist ideology nationalist movements nineteenth century organized political community potential primordial primordialists produce relations relationships religious Revolution rhetoric of nationalism rule self-determination sense Serb Serbian shaped simply social society solidarity sovereignty Soviet Union specific struggle Tallensi territory theory traditions United unity Western Yugoslavia