The Anthropology of Europe: Identities and Boundaries in Conflict

Description

This is one of the first anthropological studies of Europe post-1989. Fourteen authors examine the social, cultural and political implications of European integration with particular emphasis on changing European identities, concepts of citizenship and levels of participation. Their aim is to set an agenda for future research based on European identity as a new object of study. The book is divided into two parts. The first deals with major theoretical issues that have characterized the anthropological study of Europe and includes a discussion of the usefulness of the Mediterranean as a cultural area. The second section develops these themes further using different theoretical perspectives to explain complex issues such as nationalism, ethnic identities, and sectarian conflicts. Nine case studies cover a wide range of contemporary topics including Irish nationalism, identity and conflict in the former Yugoslavia, and gender, support and child care provision in Spain. This book aims to fill a gap in the literature on European integration and should be of interest to anthropologists and sociologists as well as students of sociology, social anthropology, political science, communications and European studies.

Victoria A. Goddard Goldsmiths College,University of London Josep R. Llobera Visiting Professor of Anthropology, University College London Cris Shore Goldsmiths College, University of London

"The book addresses some of the key issues affecting kinship and gender, immigration and racism, ethnicity and nationalism, state formation, national identity, citizenship and the boundaries of Europe and the effects of European integration." --The Times Higher Educational Supplement "The volume contains many thought-provoking insights into the problems of contemporary European identity." --Journal of European Studies "... a provocative volume full of worthwhile insights." --West European Politics