The State of the Nation: Ernest Gellner and the Theory of Nationalism

Description

Nationalism is one of the major social and political issues of modern times, and a subject of intense intellectual debate. The most important and influential theory of nationalism is that of Ernest Gellner (1925-1995). This volume assesses every aspect of that theory, bringing together an exceptional set of scholars to explain, criticise and move beyond Gellner's work. In doing so the book establishes the state-of-play within the theory of nationalism, and complements Gellner's account by bringing political variables back into play. The book is unique in offering sustained attention to a single powerful theory, and will be of wide interest to students and scholars of political and social theory, history, sociology and anthropology.

"...this is a necessary addition to the libraries of students and scholars of nationalism." Choice "...Hall has done an excellent job in introducing the volume and dividing the articles into four sections that hold together rather well. John A. Hall has produced a book that contains much material that will be useful to economic historians both in terms of content, and more importantly, in methodology." Journal of Economic History