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Nationalism and Ethnosymbolism: History, Culture and Ethnicity in the Formation of Nations

Edited by Athena S. Leoussi and Steven Grosby

Paper, 352 pages,
ISBN: 978-0-7486-2113-2
$42.00

September, 2007
Cloth, 352 pages,
ISBN: 978-0-7486-2112-5
Edinburgh University Press
$144.00

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.

Related Subjects


About the Author

Athena S. Leoussi is a Lecturer in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Relations at the University of Reading, UK. She is a founder editor of the journal Nations and Nationalism and author and editor of many articles and books on nationalism and national art. Steven Grosby is Professor of Religion at Clemson University, USA. He is author of several books including Nationalism (2005).

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