Nationalism (Concepts Social Thought) [Paperback]

Craig Calhoun (Author)

Book Description

Series: Concepts Social Thought | Publication Date: February 11, 1998

Nationalism is one of the most pressing of global problems. Drawing on examples from around the world, Craig Calhoun considers nationalism's diverse manifestations, its history, and its relationship to imperialism and colonialism. He also challenges attempts to "debunk" nationalism that fail to grasp why it still has such power and centrality in modern life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an informative and faithful guide to the inception, formulation and implementation of the National Curriculum over the last six years." - Teacher Development "...auseful summary of the history and current situation regarding the National Curriculum." - Child Education "...an ideal textbook for students in training, as it presents the recent history of curriculum development in England at Key Stage One in a thoughtprovoking way, which could lead to discussion and further reading." - Educational Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Craig Calhoun is Chair of the Sociology Department of New York University and Professor of Sociology at the University of Oslo. After receiving his doctorate from Oxford, he taught for many years at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he was founder and director of the University Center for International Studies. Among his other books are Neither Gods nor Emperors: Students and the Struggle for Democracy in China and Critical Social Theory: Culture, History, and the Challenge of Difference. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press; 1 edition (February 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816631212
• ISBN-13: 978-0816631216
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid and well-argued, October 18, 2000

By 

Edward Bosnar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nationalism (Concepts Social Thought) (Paperback)

The vast literature on nationalism, at least in the English language, is making the need for books like this one increasingly evident. Calhoun's aim in this text is to provide an explanation of nationalism as a historical phenomenon which is still a very active force in the world today. Perhaps his most important point, and one that tends to set him apart from most theorists on nationalism, is that there can be no general theory of nationalism, or no historical "master variable" which can explain its emergence and development. Calhoun correctly notes that it is too diverse a phenomenon to be explained so simply. He argues that nationalism is a process, a way of thinking and acting among people which results from modernity and also continually develops as a response to modernity. It is constructed within the scope of historical development, and acquires different contexts in different places and at different times. This is, of course, a greatly over-simplified summary of a very well-argued text. The only problem is that the book is often difficult to read, as Calhoun tends to engage in restricted academic jargon (e.g. nationalism is constantly referred to as a "discursive formation"). This should not dissuade readers interested in nationalism from reading this book, however. Also, the conclusion is an excellent, concise summation of Calhoun's main arguments, and can stand on its own as a definition of nationalism.