Mapping the Nation

by Gopal Balakrishnan (Editor), John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton (Contributor), Otto Bauer (Contributor)

In nearly two decades since Samuel P. Huntingdon proposed his influential and troubling ‘clash of civilizations’ thesis, nationalism has only continued to puzzle and frustrate commentators, policy analysts, and political theorists. No consensus exists concerning its identity, genesis, or future. Are we reverting to the petty nationalisms of the nineteenth century or evolving into a globalized, supranational world? Has the nation-state outlived its usefulness and exhausted its progressive and emancipatory role?Opening with powerful statements by Lord Acton and Otto Bauer—the classic liberal and socialist positions—Mapping the Nation presents a wealth of thought on the debate between Ernest Gellner and Miroslav Hroch; Gopal Balakrishnan’s critique of Benedict Anderson’s seminal Imagined Communities; Partha Chatterjeeon the limitations of the Enlightenment approach to nationhood; and contributions from Michael Mann, Eric Hobsbawm, Tom Nairn, and Jürgen Habermas.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Theory, Academic, History

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

A prolific writer and independent scholar, Gopal Balakrishnan has authored numerous books, essays, chapters, and articles covering a broad range of intellectual interests. His published books include The Enemy: An Intellectual Portrait of Carl Schmitt and Antagonistics: Capitalism and Power in an Age of War. His edited volumes include Mapping the Nation and Debating Empire. He is the author of numerous essays and book chapters, and his work has been translated into multiple languages. In recent years, Balakrishnan has developed a distinctive interpretation of Karl Marx’s later economic thought and is working to refine his findings into a cohesive and politically resonating form. He has also begun collaborating with the editors of SS African Mercury. This journal delivers bold theoretical analyses and critiques of the political and cultural landscape across the ideological spectrum. He will be publishing most of his future work with SS African Mercury.

Reviews

[Dimitrii Ivanov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Введение в теорию наций и национализма, какой она сложилась к середине 1990-х (хотя есть пара более древних текстов). Представлены и Б. Андерсон, и М. Хрох, и Э. Геллнер, и Э. Хобсбаум; я бы ещё работу К. Вердери выделил. Хорошо переведено, всего пару ошибок заметил ("Мэри Энн" там, где должна быть Марианна, символ французской нации).

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A collection of articles that does not explain much, but does so in many words. After reading this collection the buyer will be elated to find out that the Nation is not a chair or a christmass tree. Although, I doubt this is a book made to be bought by people, rather by institutions.