The first major study in over three decades to explore the essential
arguments of all the major theoretical interpretations of nationalism,
from the modernist approaches of Gellner, Nairn, Breuilly, Giddens and
Hobsbawm to the alternative paradigms of van den Bergh and Geertz,
Armstrong and Smith himself.
In a style accessible to the student and the general reader Smith traces
the changing view of this hotly discussed topic within the current
political, cultural and socioeconomic arena. He also analyses the
contributions of such historians, sociologists and political scientists
as Seton-Watson, Reynolds, Hastings, Horowitz and Brass. The survey
concludes with an analysis of post-modern approaches to national
identity, gender and nation, making it indispensable reading to all
those interested in gaining full and authoritative knowledge of
nationalism.