Containing Nationalism

by Michael Hechter

Nationalism has become the most prevalent source of political conflict and violence in the world today. Scholarship has provided scant guidance for containing the dark side of nationalism--its widely publicized excesses of violence, such as ethnic cleansing and genocide. Based on fundamental
theoretical ideas about the formation and solidarity of groups, Containing Nationalism offers a groundbreaking unified explanation of the dynamics of nationalism across the broad sweep of history and geography. Michael Hechter argues that the impetus for the most common type of nationalism arises
from the imposition of direct rule in culturally heterogeneous societies--stimulating national identity, reducing the resources of local elites, motivating the mobilization of nationalist opposition to central authorities, and ultimately heightening the demand for sovereignty. Hechter suggests that
political institutions that reintroduce indirect rule offer the leaders of modern countries the best available means of containing nationalist violence within their borders.

Hardcover

First published February 24, 2000

Reviews

[Kw Estes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book on the origins of nationalism, though I think Hechter's ultimate theory on why nationalism is a modern phenomenon--the rise of direct rule by central governments in place of indirect, imperialistic rule--is a bit too simplistic (one might also call it sufficiently parsimonious, to take a contradictory view.) Despite the title, there is not a great deal in the book in regards to containing nationalism, but his ideas on the matter seem to bear fruit: nationalism can be contained, to a large degree, through concessions to nationalist movements. Yet this is often not enough, as is evidenced by cases such as the Basque region of Spain. As long as there are individuals who feel that they may benefit by means of nationalism, it will not be eviscerated.

[Benemint · Rating 2 out of 5]

I cannot believe that this book became a canon.

[Rene · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elegant, concise theory of nationalism that is well-supported by historical evidence. However, a tad bit too rational choice for me.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hechter explores the processes of modern nationalism. Given that as a premise (that this will be an exploration of Western countries post 1850) he follows through.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good fundamentals on improving your business. More proof that 80% of your difficulties are self inflected and only 20% of your business loss can be attributed to the economy. Get back to the fundamentals!!