Nationalism and the Nation--New Perspectives on French Thinkers

Author: (English) Gellner
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-19
Features: In a general sense, the concepts of ethnicity and nationalism are not complex, but from an ideological perspective, they are not simple. "Nationalism" is a complex yet clear term. Sometimes, it refers to an ideology, sometimes to a historical moment, a local theory, or an attitude or behavior, the extreme development of which. In this context, the term carries a derogatory connotation. In reality, although nationalism is multifaceted, clarifying its meaning is not difficult. The term "ethnicity," however, is a different matter. As a factual existence, ethnicity is self-evident, but this very fact encompasses a wide range of complexities and is often ambiguous and mysterious. On the surface, it may seem straightforward, but once examined against the facts, problems arise. The purpose of this book is neither to sympathize with these victors nor to sympathize with their unfortunate disputes. If it takes several years to seriously study and imagine the dangers of nationalism, it will be a dangerous thing for everyone. The violence and concerns generated by nationalism are evident.