Containing Nationalism by Michael Hechter
Nationalism has become the most prevalent source of political conflict and violence in the world. Scholarship has provided scant guidance about the prospects of containing the dark side of nationalism-its widely publicized excesses of violence, such as ethnic cleansing and genocide. Departing from the usual practice of considering only a few examples of nationalism drawn from a limited geographical and historical canvas, this book is based on fundamental theoretical ideas about the formation and solidarity of groups. Containing Nationalism offers a unified explanation of the dynamics of nationalism across the broad sweep of time and space. Among other things, it explains why nationalism is largely confined to modern history, why it is supported by specific forms of inequality between cultural groups, and why it is inclusive at some times and exclusive at others. Nationalism is the attempt of culturally-distinct peoples to attain political self-determination. Self-determination was generally afforded by traditional states, which employed a form of governance based on indirect rule. After the late 18th century, the rise of the modern state led to a new form of governance characterized by direct rule. Containing Nationalism argues that the impetus for the most common type of nationalism arises from the imposition of direct rule in culturally heterogeneous societies. Direct rule stimulates national identity by making cultural distinctions more salient for individuals' life chances. At the same time it reduces the resources of local elites, giving them a motive to mobilize nationalist opposition to central authorities. All told, these effects heighten the demand for sovereignty. The book suggests that political institutions that reintroduce indirect rule offer the leaders of modern countries the best available means of containing nationalist violence within their borders.
Hechter has written more for the advanced scholar of nationalism studies and cognate fieldsHe is already an established name in the field ... Hechter's argument has considerable merits. * The Global Review of Ethnopolitics *
Chapter 2 'Causes of Nationalism', is concise, managing to provide explanations for group formation, group solidarity, the modernity of nations and national identification ... the striking feature is that the author is able to usefully clarify in only fourteen pages what so many others take entire books to do. * The Global Review of Ethnopolitics *
Containing Nationalism is a trenchant discussion of a problem that shows little sign of abating. Even more, however, it is a thoughtful attempt by a veteran observer to offer a theoretical analysis with very practical implications. This book will be indispensable for academics and policymakers alike. * Contemporary Sociology *
Chapter 2 'Causes of Nationalism', is concise, managing to provide explanations for group formation, group solidarity, the modernity of nations and national identification ... the striking feature is that the author is able to usefully clarify in only fourteen pages what so many others take entire books to do. * The Global Review of Ethnopolitics *
Containing Nationalism is a trenchant discussion of a problem that shows little sign of abating. Even more, however, it is a thoughtful attempt by a veteran observer to offer a theoretical analysis with very practical implications. This book will be indispensable for academics and policymakers alike. * Contemporary Sociology *
Hechter, Michael: - Michael Hechter is Foundation Professor of Political Science at Arizona State University and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington. Author of Internal Colonialism: The Celtic Fringe in British National Development, Principles of Group Solidarity, and Containing Nationalism, he has edited five books and written numerous articles in academic journals. A Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, his works have been translated into Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Arabic, Romanian, Hungarian, and Georgian.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780199247516 |
| ISBN 10 | 019924751X |
| Title | Containing Nationalism |
| Author | Michael Hechter |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Year published | 2001-08-30 |
| Number of pages | 268 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |