Nationalism and War

Leading social scientists and historians examine the complex relationship between warfare and the emergence of nationalism.

John A. Hall (Edited by), Siniša Maleševi? (Edited by)

9781107034754, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 April 2013

383 pages, 7 b/w illus. 4 tables
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.2 cm, 0.73 kg

'This is a vastly important subject, and this book amply fulfils all expectations in assembling a star cast with divergent perspectives to explore its many dimensions. The editors' introduction offers a state-of-the-art overview to the field. This is an essential text for students of war and of nationalism.' John Hutchinson, Reader in Nationalism, London School of Economics and Political Science

Has the emergence of nationalism made warfare more brutal? Does strong nationalist identification increase efficiency in fighting? Is nationalism the cause or the consequence of the breakdown of imperialism? What is the role of victories and defeats in the formation of national identities? The relationship between nationalism and warfare is complex, and it changes depending on which historical period and geographical context is in question. In 'Nationalism and War', some of the world's leading social scientists and historians explore the nature of the connection between the two. Through empirical studies from a broad range of countries, they explore the impact that imperial legacies, education, welfare regimes, bureaucracy, revolutions, popular ideologies, geopolitical change, and state breakdowns have had in the transformation of war and nationalism.

Introduction: wars and nationalisms John A. Hall and Siniša Maleševi?
Part I. Fighting for the Nation?: 1. Does nationalist sentiment increase fighting efficacy? A skeptical view from the sociology of violence Randall Collins
2. Mercenary, citizen, victim: the rise and fall of conscription in the West Richard Lachmann
Part II. The Varieties of Nationalist Experience: 3. The state-to-nation balance and war Benjamin Miller
4. State violence in the origins of nationalism: British counterinsurgency and the rebirth of Irish nationalism, 1969–72 James Hughes
5. When does nationalism turn violent? A comparative analysis of Canada and Sri Lanka Matthew Lange
Part III. Empires and Nation-States: 6. Empire and ethnicity John Darwin
7. The role of nationalism in the two world wars Michael Mann
8. Empire, ethnicity and power: a comment Dominic Lieven
9. Is nationalism the cause or consequence of the end of empire? Wesley Hiers and Andreas Wimmer
10. Obliterating heterogeneity through peace: nationalisms, states and wars in the Balkans Siniša Maleševi?
Part IV. Empty Shells, Changed Conditions: 11. Internal wars and Latin American nationalism Miguel Angel Centeno, Jose Miguel Cruz, Rene Flores and Gustavo Silva Cano
12. War and nationalism: the view from Central Africa René Lemarchand
13. Victory in defeat? National identity after civil war in Finland and Ireland Bill Kissane
14. When nationalists disagree: who should one hate and kill? Stephen Saideman.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS], Sociology [JHB], History [HB]