About the Book
Ethnosymbolism offers a distinct and innovative approach to the study of nations and nationalism. It focuses on the role of ethnic myths, historical memories, symbols and traditions in the creation and maintenance of the collective identity of modern nations. This book explores the different aspects of the ethnosymbolic approach to the study of ethnicity, nationality and nationalism.Nationalism and Ethnosymbolism first introduces the main theoretical considerations that have arisen in nationalism studies in the past two decades. It then presents a collection of case studies covering music and poetry, ethnosymbolism in antiquity, and a wide variety of nations and regions. Areas discussed include Eastern Europe and Russia, the Middle East, the Far East and India, Africa, and the Americas.Overall the book offers a defence of the methodology of ethnosymbolism and a demonstration of its explanatory power.Key Features:* Includes contributions from some of the most eminent scholars in the field of nationalism studies including Anthony D. Smith, the doyen of ethnosymbolism* Offers a distinctive approach to the analysis of ethnicity and nationalism in the modern world* Ethnosymbolism is now a key element of the nationalism studies discourse* The ethnosymbolic approach can be applied to the analysis of a variety of historical and contemporary social, cultural and political situations
Table of Contents:
Introduction, Dr Athena S. Leoussi and Professor Steven Grosby; I: Theories of Nationalism and the Ethnosymbolic Approach; Chapter 1: Mapping the field: Theories of Nationalism and the Ethnosymbolic Approach, Dr Daniele Conversi, University of Lincoln; Chapter 2: The Ethnic Enigma: Nationalism, Racism and Globalisation, Professor John Stone and Polly Rizova, Boston University, USA; Chapter 3: Warfare, Remembrance and National Identity, Dr John Hutchinson, London School of Economics; II: Music and Poetry in the Ethnosymbolic Approach; Chapter 4: Music and Nationalism: Five Historical Moments, Professor Jim Samson, Royal Holloway College; Chapter 5: The Sound of England, Professor David Martin, Emeritus, London School of Economics; Chapter 6: Myth, History and Nationalism: Poetry of the British Isles, Professor David Aberbach, McGill University, Canada; III: Antiquity in the Ethnosymbolic Approach; Chapter 7: The Successor Territory, Professor Steven Grosby, Clemson University, USA; Chapter 8: Ethnosymbolism in the Ancient Mediterranean World, Dr Sebastian Garman, Brunel University; IV: Ethnosymbolism in Eastern Europe and Russia; Chapter 9: The Jews and the Formation of Modern National Identity in Poland, Dr Joanna Michlic, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, USA; Chapter 10: Lev Gumilev and Russian National Identity During and After the Soviet Era, Professor Mark Bassin, University of Birmingham; Chapter 11: National Symbols: Ethnicity and Historical Continuity in Post-Communist 'New Europe', Dr Athena S. Leoussi, University of Reading; V: Ethnosymbolism in the Middle East; Chapter 12: Dilemmas of Middle East Politics, Professor John A. Armstrong, Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA; Chapter 13: The Muslim Umma and the Formation of Middle Eastern Nationalisms, Professor Haim Gerber, The Hebrew University, Israel; Chapter 14: Historical Ethno-symbols in the Emergence of the State of Israel, Professor Allon Gal, Emeritus, Ben-Gurion University, Israel; VI: Ethnosymbolism in the Far East and India; Chapter 15: Ethnosymbolism in China and Taiwan, Dr Peter Ferdinand, University of Warwick; Chapter 16: The Making of a Language of Patriotism in Modern Bengali, Dr Sudipta Kaviraj, SOAS, University of London; VII: Ethnosymbolism in Africa; Chapter 17: Holy Nigerian Nationalisms; Dr Obi Igwara; Chapter 18: Ethnic Demobilisation: The Case of the Afrikaners, Professor Jack Spence, King's College London and Professor David Welsh, Emeritus, University of Cape Town, South Africa; VIII: Ethnosymbolism in the Americas; Chapter 19: Women, War and the Confederate Ethnoscape, Dr Bruce Cauthen, formerly of Emory University, USA; Chapter 20: Ethnic Origins and Indigenous Peoples: An Approach from Latin America, Dr Natividad Gutierrez Chong, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Epilogue: The Power of Ethnic Traditions in the Modern World, Professor Anthony D. Smith, Emeritus, London School of Economics.
About the Author :
Athena S. Leoussi is a Lecturer in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Relations at the University of Reading. She is one of the founding editors of the journal 'Nations and Nationalism'. Steven Grosby is Professor of Religion at Clemson University, USA. He is author of several books including 'Nationalism' for the OUP series 'Very Short Introductions'.
Review :
A bountiful smorgasbord of topics related to group identity.
Ethnosymbolism is at the heart of nationalism as a “hot” subject on the contemporary scene.
