The Nation in History: Historiographical Debates About Ethnicity and Nationalism (Menahem Stern Jerusalem Lectures) - Softcover

Anthony D. Smith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1584650400 ISBN 13: 9781584650409

Publisher: Brandeis University Press, 2000

Synopsis

In the first theoretical analysis of historiographical debates about ethnicity and nationalism, Anthony Smith provides a probing account of historians' assumptions and explanations of nationalism in different historical epochs. Ranging broadly over the contributions and divergent perspectives of historians, political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists and others who have contributed to these fundamental debates, Smith codifies the most cogent responses that have been offered to three defining issues in this area: the nature and origin of the nation and nationalism; the antiquity or modernity of nations and nationalism; and the role of nations and nationalism in historical, and especially recent, social change. Using the examples of Persia, Israel, and Greece for long-term illustrations, Smith also discusses ethnic and national identities in France, Germany, England, Yugoslavia, and elsewhere to illuminate the uses and the meaning of alternative theories, and ends with a convincing case for the value of his own ethno-symbolist approach.

About this title

Review

′Drawing examples from across the globe and providing succinct summaries of key ideas about nationalism developed by philosophers, sociologists and historians from Herder and Rousseau to Homi Bhaba and William McNeill, this is a stimulating and insightful essay by one of the foremost experts on nationalism studies today.′ English Historical Review

"For thirty years, Anthony D. Smith has published extensively on the phenomenon of the ′nation′ and has a global reputation in this field." History

From the Back Cover

An expert in the field analyzes the major debates between historians and social scientists on the nature and development of ethnic communities, nations, and nationalism.

In concise, accessible prose, Anthony D. Smith provides a probing account of the leading assumptions and explanations of nationalism in different historical epochs. Ranging broadly over the contributions and divergent perspectives of historians, political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, and others who have contributed to these fundamental debates, Smith codifies the most cogent responses that have been offered to three defining issues in this area: the nature and origin of the nation and nationalism; and the role of nations and nationalism in historical, and especially recent, social change.

Using the examples of Persia, Israel, and Greece for long-term illustrations, Smith also discusses ethnic and national identities in France, Germany, England, Yugoslavia, and elsewhere to illuminate the uses and the meaning of alternative theories, and ends with a convincing case for the value of his own ethno-symbolist approach.

About this edition

• Publisher: Brandeis University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1584650400
• ISBN 13: 9781584650409
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 122