Description
Book SynopsisFor 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.
Trade Review"All who are interested in the study of nationalism are most fortunate to have available this masterly, updated distillation of Anthony Smith's four decades of intensive scholarship on the topic. It is concise and yet treats all of nationalism's key aspects, including its wellsprings and historical evolution. Students are certain to benefit from its clarity and from its critical, sweeping review of the literature."
Walker Connor, Middlebury College, Vermont "This is a very accessible and engaging introduction to the major debates on the study of nationalism. It also manages to say something new and offers many insights into the complex phenomenon that is nationalism. Readers will find the definitions of concepts very helpful."
Gerard Delanty, University of Sussex
Table of ContentsPreface vii
Introduction 1
1 Concepts 5
The Meanings of Nationalism 5
Definitions 9
2 Ideologies 24
Fundamental Ideals 27
Core Concepts 31
Nationalism as Culture and Religion 36
Voluntarism and Organicism 39
‘Ethnic’ and ‘Civic’ Nationalisms 42
3 Paradigms 47
Modernism 49
Perennialism 53
Primordialism 55
Ethno-symbolism 60
Conclusion 63
4 Theories 66
Ideology and Industrialism 66
Reason and Emotion 72
Politics and Culture 77
Elites and Everyday Nationalism 82
Construction and Reinterpretation 85
Conclusion 93
5 Histories 95
‘Great Nations’, Small Ethnies 96
Nations Before Nationalism 100
Nations in Antiquity? 110
Nations in History: An Alternative View 115
Conclusion 125
6 Prospects 129
Proliferating Nationalism 129
The Demise of the Nation-state? 132
Hybrid Identities? 136
The Dissolution of Nationalism? 139
The Consumer Society 141
Global Culture? 143
Internationalizing Nationalism 146
Uneven Ethno-histories 150
Sacred Foundations 153
Conclusion 157
Notes 159
Appendix 172
References 177
Index 197
