Books for Prep | |
 - Standard reference work, though not excitingAs one of the most widely-cited works on nationalism, Gellner's book is certainly worth reading just for the sheer reference value. However, as a scholarly work, it fails to answer the question it seeks to demystify. Basically, it says that nationalism rose in industrial societies where people "needed" a new standardized form of identity -- which the "high culture" of the nation happily provided. It is a great macro-theory, but when put to the test of historical evidence, it falls short. Why do people love and die for particular national identities? If they just needed some modern standardized form of identity, most any form that enables dynamic communication and interchangability in society would do. In short, Gellner fails to take into account the specific historical cases where group identity, rooted in previous historical experiences, has acquired a national character that has withstood enormous historical changes. Rating:  - A classicThough Anthoney D. Smith and others have attacked Gellner's classic work, it still remains THE book explaining the birth of nations. In brief, Gellner's theory holds that the rise appearance of capitalism made national formations necessary. When people from radically different "low cultures" came together in the new industrial cities of Europe, a cultural bond became necessary. Grouping society into national units served this need by creating "high cultures". Smith, who provides the principle opposition to Gellner's theory argues that nations "have navels"--that is, they are created from previously existing "ethnae." Unfortunately for Smith, historical evidence actually suggests that nations do not, in fact, have navels. Thus, Gellner's theory is correct. Well written and accessible to the non-academic, Nations and Nationalism is a must read for anybody concerned with the creation of the most important political ideology in the world today. page 2 of 2
1 2 In association with Amazon.com | |