Theorizing Nationalism

Theorizing Nationalism directly addresses the normative dimensions of nationalism. A sequel to Theorizing Citizenship, this volume brings theoretical and philosophical clarity to an examination of the political appeal and normative status of nationalist claims. Some of the themes it discusses are the following: whether there is a "right" to collective self-determination, the relationship between nationalism and modernity, whether nationalism and liberalism can be reconciled, whether there is a theoretically legitimate distinction between so-called civic and ethnic versions of nationalism, and the "existential" attractiveness of nationalism.

For the last two centuries, nationalism has been a central feature of society and politics. Few ideologies can match its power and resonance, and no other political movement and symbolic language has such worldwide appeal and resilience. But nationalism is also a form of public culture and political religion, which draws on much older cultural and symbolic forms. Seeking to do justice to these different facets of nationalism, the second edition of this popular and respected overview has been revised and updated with contemporary developments and the latest scholarly work. It aims to provide a concise and accessible introduction to the core concepts and varieties of nationalist ideology; a clear analysis of the major competing paradigms and theories of nations and nationalism; a critical account of the often opposed histories and periodization of the nation and nationalism; and an assessment of the prospects of nationalism and its continued global power and persistence. Broad and comparative in scope, the book is strongly interdisciplinary, drawing on ideas and insights from history, political science, sociology and anthropology. The focus is theoretical, but it also includes a fresh examination of some of the main historical and contemporary empirical contributions to the literature on the subject. It will continue to be an invaluable resource for students of nationalism across the social sciences.

This text offers a critical overview of the main approaches to the study of nationalism.

An exceptional set of scholars assess every aspect of the most influential theory of nationalism.

This edited collection explores the continuing appeal of nationalism around the world. The authors’ ground-breaking research demonstrates the ways in which national priorities and sensibilities frame an extraordinary array of activities, from classroom discussions and social media posts to global policy-making, as well as identifying the value that can come from feeling part of a national community, especially during times of economic uncertainty and social change. They also note how attachments to nation can often generate powerful emotions, happiness and pride as well as anger and frustration, which can be used to mobilize substantial numbers of people into action. Featuring contributions from leading social scientists across a range of disciplines, including sociology, geography, political science, social psychology, media and cultural studies, the book presents a number of case studies covering a range of countries including Russia, Germany, New Zealand, Serbia, Japan, Azerbaijan, Greece and the USA. Everyday Nationhood will appeal to students and scholars of nationalism, globalization and identity across the social sciences as well as those with an interest in understanding the role of nationalism in shaping some of the most pressing political crises- migration, economic protectionism, populism - of the contemporary era.

Massive changes have taken place in the way nations and nationalism are thought about. From being viewed enthusiastically by historians as a force for beneficial change before the First World War, today appeals to 'national' sentiment are viewed as far more complex and problematic. This book looks at how historians (and others, such as sociologists and political theorists) have explained the development, and enduring importance, of national identities from c.1850 to the present day. It compares and contrasts a wide range of different theories, and will be useful for anyone wanting to equip themselves with a theoretical understanding of why we live in nations, and why we invest them with such significance.

A perennial subject for sociologists, nationalism, the focus of this study, is persistent, not merely because of its specific ideological appeal, but because it expresses some of the major conflicts in Western social development.

Theorizing Nationalism provides a comprehensive and accessible review of the main theoretical approaches to understanding nations, nationalism and national identities. Its systematic and clearly structured approach makes it an ideal purchase for undergraduate students of Sociology, Politics and International Relations. Well illustrated with a variety of international examples, it gives a detailed insight into the contributions of key social theorists, including Anderson, Billig, Gellner, Hobshawn and Smith. It shows how the analysis of nationalism is linked to contemporary studies of gender, 'race' and ethnicity and it gives due consideration to important recent developments in the field, including liberal nationalism, globalization and the formation of national identities. Throughout the book, the authors place developments in the study of nationalism in the context of wider changes taking place in social theory, and show how shifting theoretical perspectives pose new questions about the meaning and importance of nations and nationalism. This is a balanced and wide-ranging text that opens up debates in a clear and helpful manner for students who are new to the field.