When is the Nation? Towards an Understanding of Theories of Nationalism

"Understanding Nationalism "brings together leading scholars of nationalism, including John Breuilly, Walker Connor, Steven Grosby, Eric Hobsbawm, Anthony D Smith and Pierre van den Berghe, to address one of the most contested questions in the study of nationalism "when is the nation?."

The book compares and contrasts the three major approaches to nationalism: modernism, primordialism and ethno-symbolism, to systematically examine the strengths and weaknesses of each theoretical strand. With an interactive format, readers are able to see how these theorists reflexively respond to their critics and define the differences between them. Part II follows with case studies that address the issues raised by the three schools, examining specific nations and national groups in Greece, America, Fiji, Russia and England.

This unique volume will be an invaluable resource for students and scholars of nationalism, ethnicity and global conflict.

This new collection of key authors on nationalism presents the latest thinking on this fundamental aspect of Politics, International Relations and Sociology. John Breuilly, Walker Connor, Steven Grosby, Eric Hobsbawm, Anthony D Smith and Pierre van den Berghe comprehensively explain andaddress thekey contemporary question in nationalism studies of 'when is the nation?' , or what point in a nation's history is it born, with authority and freshness. Our world is still deeply imbedded in the language and practice of nations and nationalism and they remain central partsin understanding human society.This comparison and contrast ofthe main approaches revealstheir strengths and weaknesses. This new text: * introduces the main schools of thought with clarity and concision * tackles the most pertinent questions in nationalism * delivers both theoretical and empirical perspectives * uses an innovative new interactive debate format with questions and answers * presents key case studies bringing theory to life The inclusion of case studies gives the reader fresh insight into specific nations and national groups, includingThe United States,Greece, England and Fiji.The accessible debate format puts main theories and thinkers to the test, enabling the readertointeract with the issues directly. This unique volume is an invaluable resource for students and scholars of nationalism, ethnicity and global conflict.

Introduction Atsuko Ichijo and Gordana Uzelac Part 1: Theoretical Issues 1. Modernism 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Dating the Nation: How Old is an Old Nation? John Breuilly 1.3 The Dawning of Nations Walker Connor 1.4 Question and Answer I 2. Primordialism 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Primordial, Kinship and Nationality Steven Grosby 2.3 Comments on Steven Grosby Eric Hobsbawm 2.4 Question and Answer II 3. Ethno-Symbolism 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Genealogy of Nations: An Ethno-Symbolic Approach Anthony D .Smith 3.3 Ethnies and Nations: Genealogy Indeed Pierre van den Berghe 3.4 Question and Answer III 4. General Discussion Part 2: Case Studies 5. When was the English Nation? Krishan Kumar 6. When was the First New Nation?: Locating America in a National Context Susan-Mary Grant 7. When, What and How is the Nation: Lessons from Greece Anna Triandafyllidou 8. Nationalism and the Politics of Ethnicity in Fiji: Critical Perspectives on Primordialism, Modernism and Ethno-Symbolism Stephanie Lawson Conclusion Gordana Uzelac and Atusko Ichijo

Atsuko Ichijo is Research Fellow in European Studies at Kingston University, London, UK. She has recently published Scottish Nationalism and the Idea of Europe (Routledge, 2004). Gordana Uzelac is Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Sociology, London Metropolitan University. Her main research areas include the formation of ethnic and national identities and the process of nation-formation in Eastern Europe (especially former Yugoslavia) and western societies.