Nationalism: Theory, Idealogy, History

Key Concepts (Polity)

by Anthony D. Smith

For 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 symbolic language has such worldwide appeal and resilience. However, nationalism is more than an ideological movement - it is also a form of public culture which draws on much older cultural and symbolic forms.


This book provides a concise, accessible introduction to the concept of nationalism. It focuses on competing paradigms and theories of nations and nationalism, and analyses the subject in terms of ideology, theory and history.


The approach is broadly comparative and interdisciplinary, with concrete examples and a time-scale stretching from the ancient world to the contemporary global age. The book concludes with an assessment of the prospects of nationalism and of the transcendence of nations and nation states.


Anthony Smith's book will appeal to all those interested in this dynamic subject, including students and scholars of anthropology, sociology, history, politics and international relations.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, Sociology, Philosophy, Academic, Social Science

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 1994

About the author

Anthony D. Smith was Professor Emeritus of Nationalism and Ethnicity at the London School of Economics, and is considered one of the founders of the interdisciplinary field of nationalism studies. His best-known contributions to the field are the distinction between 'civic' and 'ethnic' types of nations and nationalism, and the idea that all nations have dominant 'ethnic cores'. While Smith agreed with other authors that nationalism is a modern phenomenon, he insisted that nations have pre-modern origins.

Reviews

[Deng · Rating 4 out of 5]

comprehensive introduction to the study of nationalism, written in plain language. Better to read it from time to time,so get yourself prepared to the discussion of nationalism.

[Arnas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone studying, or with an interest in Nationalism.

This was one of my course books of the University degree I've completed this year.

[Alberto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un gran libro que sirve tanto para un primer acercamiento a un tema tan complejo como es el nacionalismo como para una sistematización de este fenómeno que pueda servir como cimiento de posteriores acercamientos. Muy recomendable.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect starting point for all interested in nationalism.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Oxford Reader on Nationalism is an essential for any scholar of nationalism, whether seasoned or a newcomer. Two prominent figures in Nationalism studies, Hutchinson and Smith marshal together the standard texts (Gellner, Anderson, Breuilly and Hobsbawm) with engaging insights from other scholars like Charles Tilly, Arend Lijphart, and Nira Yuval-Davis into an indispensable volume that covers various strands in the field.

The book contains abridged works by all these figures and more, arranged categorically, each with a short evaluatory summary of the works contained therein. The only improvement that could be asked for would be for these sections to be longer and a little more critical.

The works contained in the volume themselves vary in quality, with some work from Geertz, Weber, and Smith himself presented without much critical commentary (where they so desperately need it). But even these (in my opinion) weaker insights are very useful and offer a good overview of these scholars' works for any reader looking for an introduction. Even for those well established in the field, the book is a helpful point of reference.

[В'ячеслав Омельченко · Rating 3 out of 5]

Доволі струнка наукова робота, відносно недавня. Добре змальовані основні парадигми розгляду націоналізму — переніалізм, примордіалізм, модернізм і сповідуваний автором "етносимволізм". Якихось гострих прозрінь для себе я не знайшов, але, в цілому, непогана книга, про яку, проте, особливо нема що сказати.

[Ann Bjerregaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introductory work, but sometimes his writing style is confusing in that it becomes unclear who thinks what and whether he endorses their views.

[Brendan McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the topic from one of the most important scholars in the field.

[shk · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is not engaging.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent review of the literature and theories of nationalism.

[Kendra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read this book for my Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict class... not sure if it is intended as a primer for newcomers to the subject, but it was an incredibly dense text. There were parts of it that I liked and that I thought were explained very clearly and effectively, but other parts of the text were difficult to grasp. I found myself having to reread sections over and over and over again, often after periods of a few hours, before I came to even a marginal understanding of what he was talking about. A lot of the book is in regards to the semantics of nation, nationalism, ethnies, etc. Smith is also clearly an outstanding academic and authority on the topic and made countless references to other scholars and writings on the subject, which were all entirely lost on me. Hoping that the class discussion will shed a bit more light on the text. Happily for me, all of my other classmates have thus far agreed that the text was a difficult one to read and that they too had to reread passages several times.

[Andrew Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent primer on nationalism, particularly modernist theories about nationalism. Largely easy to follow for most people and Smith eases in the theory gradually.

Smith subscribes to an ethno-symbolist theory of nationalism and there is a predictable bias to that model, but he deals other models with respect.

[Septa Karolin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bahasanya harus dibaca dua kali baru ngerti. wajar sih, namanya juga terjemahan. Dijelaskan dengan contoh yang baik dan banyak. sayangnya pesan untuk masyarakat agar nasionalisnya kurang aja. lumayanlah.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading this book from my geopolitics course in college. Great excerpts of essays on nationalism.

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

If one wants to look at the work around Nationalism, this is a simple and good book to begin with. Not a comprehensive book but gives a birds eye view of the scholarship around Nationalism

[Frits Brouwer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but could have been a tad more structured.

[Atila Demirkasımoğlu]

Okumaya başladım.