Nationalism

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 political movement and symbolic language has such worldwide appeal and resilience. But nationalism is also a form of public culture and political religion, which draws on much older cultural and symbolic forms. Seeking to do justice to these different facets of nationalism, the second edition of this popular and respected overview has been revised and updated with contemporary developments and the latest scholarly work. It aims to provide a concise and accessible introduction to the core concepts and varieties of nationalist ideology; a clear analysis of the major competing paradigms and theories of nations and nationalism; a critical account of the often opposed histories and periodization of the nation and nationalism; and an assessment of the prospects of nationalism and its continued global power and persistence. Broad and comparative in scope, the book is strongly interdisciplinary, drawing on ideas and insights from history, political science, sociology and anthropology. The focus is theoretical, but it also includes a fresh examination of some of the main historical and contemporary empirical contributions to the literature on the subject. It will continue to be an invaluable resource for students of nationalism across the social sciences.

Nationalism: The Politics of Identity brings together 15 of Keith Woods' best essays. With a combination of historical studies and contemporary analysis, Woods takes aim at the critics of nationalism on both the left and the right. Nationalism is not just a perennial phenomenon that has endured throughout history, but a fully defensible worldview that offers the best alternative to the waning liberal order. Reviews "I wish I knew as much about nationalism as Keith Woods when I was in my twenties. I especially wish I had this book when I was young. Spending a few hours reading it would have saved me years of confusion and searching. So read this book and buy copies of it for promising young people." - Greg Johnson, editor of Counter-Currents Publishing "Keith Woods' recent comet-like reappearance on social media proved he is master of the rapier thrust. But this collection of his essays proves he is master of the intellectual slugfest too. Nobody aware of the coming nationalist revolution can ignore him" - Peter Brimelow, Editor of VDARE 1999-2024 "A garden of delights -- with a few stinging nettles to keep you on your toes." - Jared Taylor, founder and editor of American Renaissance "In his first of what I hope will be many books, Keith Woods plants his flag in the realm of political theory. This book explores current events, history, and rebuts of many of the common counter-arguments to nationalism. But what I found to be most enjoyable was his application of timeless ideas to the challenges of contemporary politics. We can best promote Nationalism by building on the rich legacy of our ancestors rather than struggling to reinvent the wheel while bumbling about in the darkness of the modern world." - David Zsutty, Executive Director of the Homeland Institute "In this book, Keith Woods, one of the most promising young intellectual activists in the dissident Right, makes a refreshingly consistent case for the moral validity, political expediency, and historical groundedness of ethnonationalism. Ethnonationalism, contrary to liberal political theory, is not an artificial construct superimposed from the outside but a deeply rooted sentiment found among all peoples of the earth who share strong ancestral ties, kinship and cultural affinities. Ethnonationalism should not be equated with imperialism or seen as the source of xenophobia and violence. It is, according to Woods, the most viable way for diverse human groups to organize themselves peacefully in mutual recognition that all ethnic groups have the same need to maintain strong natural bonds with their own kindred and find therein the opportunity to express their highest potentialities in a state of universal benevolence." - Dr. Ricardo Duchesne, author of The Uniqueness of Western Civilization & Canada in Decay "A wide-ranging and provocative collection of writings, Keith Woods proves that his grasp exceeds his reach. Woods brings a fair-minded and objective approach to each topic, treating them with a care and precision rarely observed among esteemed, professional academics. This work is more than just a boon to the nationalist cause, for it is also a serious-minded book worthy of inclusion in the Western canon. While indispensable for readers of all ages, this book should be of particular interest to the young, who are undoubtedly growing up in the most confused and chaotic of times." - Josh Neal, author of American Extremist About the author Keith Woods is an Irish writer, content creator and activist. He has been ranked as one of the most influential political commentators on social media. Since 2023, he has been publishing a series of essays on political theory on his newsletter, keithwoods.pub.

`Spencer and Wollman remain succinct and clear in their critical introduction to the most influential nationalism theories. The book is well structured, the arguments clearly presented. Its format makes it a great textbook for all seeking a deeper understanding of nationalism and national identity, while those already familiar with the subject will no doubt enjoy this erudite volume as well' - Sociology `This book is a valuable source for the interested reader who needs a concise and critical introduction into theories and theorists of nationalism. The extensve bibliography and a good index make it a work which should be on the bookshelf of anyone teaching nationalism' - Journal of Contemporary European Studies Nationalism provides an indispensable review of the study of nationalism that both introduces and critically positions all the main issues, theories and contemporary debates. Drawing upon and introducing a wide range of literatures from across politics, sociology, history, social anthropology and cultural studies, the authors seek to further challenge fixed notions of national identity, ethnicity and culture to more fully explore and understand the contemporary complexities of citizenship and the genuine potential for a cosmopolitan democracy. The text surveys both classical and contemporary approaches including those from within feminism, postmodernism, postcolonialism and globabalization studies. It will be essential reading for all students and academics seeking a deeper understanding of nationalism and national identity today.

A global perspective on the nature and evolution of nationalism, from the early modern era to the present The current rise of nationalism across the globe is a reminder that we are not, after all, living in a borderless world of virtual connectivity. In Nationalism , historian Eric Storm sheds light on contemporary nationalist movements by exploring the global evolution of nationalism, beginning with the rise of the nation-state in the eighteenth century through the revival of nationalist ideas in the present day. Storm traces the emergence of the unitary nation-state—which brought citizenship rights to some while excluding a multitude of “others”—and the pervasive spread of nationalist ideas through politics and culture. Storm shows how nationalism influences the arts and humanities, mapping its dissemination through newspapers, television, and social media. Sports and tourism, too, have helped fashion a world of discrete nations, each with its own character, heroes, and highlights. Nationalism saturates the physical environment, not only in the form of national museums and patriotic statues but also in efforts to preserve cultural heritage, create national parks, invent ethnic dishes and beverages, promote traditional building practices, and cultivate native plants. Nationalism has even been used for selling cars, furniture, and fashion. By tracing these tendencies across countries, Storm shows that nationalism’s watershed moments were global. He argues that the rise of new nation-states was largely determined by shifts in the international context, that the relationships between nation-states and their citizens largely developed according to global patterns, and that worldwide intellectual trends influenced the nationalization of both culture and environment. Over the centuries, nationalism has transformed both geopolitics and the everyday life of ordinary people.

A global perspective on the nature and evolution of nationalism, from the early modern era to the present The current rise of nationalism across the globe is a reminder that we are not, after all, living in a borderless world of virtual connectivity. In Nationalism , historian Eric Storm sheds light on contemporary nationalist movements by exploring the global evolution of nationalism, beginning with the rise of the nation-state in the eighteenth century through the revival of nationalist ideas in the present day. Storm traces the emergence of the unitary nation-state—which brought citizenship rights to some while excluding a multitude of “others”—and the pervasive spread of nationalist ideas through politics and culture. Storm shows how nationalism influences the arts and humanities, mapping its dissemination through newspapers, television, and social media. Sports and tourism, too, have helped fashion a world of discrete nations, each with its own character, heroes, and highlights. Nationalism saturates the physical environment, not only in the form of national museums and patriotic statues but also in efforts to preserve cultural heritage, create national parks, invent ethnic dishes and beverages, promote traditional building practices, and cultivate native plants. Nationalism has even been used for selling cars, furniture, and fashion. By tracing these tendencies across countries, Storm shows that nationalism’s watershed moments were global. He argues that the rise of new nation-states was largely determined by shifts in the international context, that the relationships between nation-states and their citizens largely developed according to global patterns, and that worldwide intellectual trends influenced the nationalization of both culture and environment. Over the centuries, nationalism has transformed both geopolitics and the everyday life of ordinary people.