New Books in Political Science Matthew D'Auria et al., "The Cambridge History of Nationhood and Nationalism" (Cambridge UP, 2024)
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Apr 10, 2025 Aviel Roshwald, an American historian, Matthew D'Auria, a Lecturer on Modern European history, and Cathie Carmichael, a Professor of European History, dive into the complexities of nationhood and nationalism. They reveal how nationalism is not exclusively a European phenomenon. The discussion navigates the historical interplay of patriotism under wartime, the evolving narratives of identity, and the challenges posed by right-wing politics today. Critical insights into race's role in nationalism and the misconceptions of DNA testing also emerge, sparking a deeper understanding of modern national identities.
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Avoiding Methodological Nationalism
- The Cambridge History of Nationhood and Nationalism avoids methodological nationalism by not organizing the book by country.
- It explores nationhood and nationalism's evolution from ancient times, challenging the strictly modern origin assumption.
Nationhood vs. Nationalism
- Nationhood is the feeling of belonging, while nationalism is its political expression.
- Nationalism can mobilize or create nationhood, sometimes co-opting existing ethnocultural communities.
National Narratives and Sacrifice
- National narratives, often presented as sacred and uncontestable due to past sacrifices, shape historical thinking.
- Historians aim to challenge these narratives and the imposed national lens.