This is our first in a new monthly feature, which will highlight a book in our collection that has been chosen by one of our Subject Consultants. This may be a recent addition to our stock or an existing item that we would like to share with you. We hope you will find it interesting and informative.
Globalisation of nationalism: the motive-force behind 21st century politics
edited by Liah Greenfield
ECPR Press, 2016
The Book of the Month for April has been selected by Jo Gardner, Bodleian Social Science Librarian and Subject Consultant for Politics and International Relations. It is inspired by current political events worldwide.
Book Overview:
This collection of essays is organised as an experiment testing the hypothesis that behind the hottest political issues of the quarter-century after the Cold War lies globalisation of national consciousness.
The authors focus on democratisation and its failure in Russia, transformations of identity in Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, North and South America, and South-East Asia, the rise of militant and political Islam, and the eruption of China onto the world stage.
The authors argue that the globalisation we are witnessing is, for the most part, the globalisation of competitive and antagonistic nationalism, which spreads to areas where it was not known earlier and into the sphere of religion.
Collectively, these essays argue that nationalism remains the organising principle of politics inside nations as well as at transnational and international levels.
Review:
‘The premise of this excellent book – that globalisation has spread the idea of the nation-state – is both accurate and a necessary corrective to naive ideas suggesting that states and nations no longer count in world affairs. The papers are superb, and they cover the whole world. A necessary volume.’
John A Hall, McGill University
Shelfmark: JC311.GLO 2016 (For Library Use Only)
The title is currently on display on top of our New Books Display Area (located around the corner from our Library Issue Desk).
What would your SSL Book of the Month be? Do you have a favourite book in our collection? If so, we would love to know what it is. Add a comment below or email us.