Nations Matter: Culture, History and the Cosmopolitan Dream

by Craig J. Calhoun

Craig Calhoun, one of the most respected social scientists in the world, re-examines nationalism in light of post-1989 enthusiasm for globalization and the new anxieties of the twenty-first century. Nations Matter argues that pursuing a purely postnational politics is premature at best and possibly dangerous. Calhoun argues that, rather than wishing nationalism away, it is important to transform it. One key is to distinguish the ideology of nationalism as fixed and inherited identity from the development of public projects that continually remake the terms of national integration. Standard concepts like 'civic' vs. 'ethnic' nationalism can get in the way unless they are critically re-examined – as an important chapter in this book does. This book is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of sociology, history, political theory and all subjects concerned with nationalism, globalization, and cosmopolitanism.

Genres: Politics, Sociology

252 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2007

Reviews

[Zahra Roushan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read in the field. Brilliantly articulated and beautifully written.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The acknowledgements of this book include a thanks to Rogers Brubaker for convincing the author to publish "the slightly ungainly collection of essays without waiting for time to turn the whole into a better integrated book." Much though I hate to disagree with Brubaker, on this occasion I cannot join in praising him, because though Calhoun definitely has some unique and interesting thoughts to add to the conversation on nationalism, there is so much repetition of ideas and entire paragraphs in this book that it lasts for many more pages than would be necessary if he had taken that time to integrate his essays into a book. Still, I'll likely be rereading segments in the future.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review of this book will appear in an upcoming issue of the Hedgehog Review.

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