Histories of Nationalism beyond Europe

This edited collection explores varying shapes of nationalism in different regional and historical settings in order to analyse the important role that nationalism has played in shaping the contemporary world. Taking a global approach, the collection includes case studies from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America. Unique not only in its wide range of geographically diverse case studies, this book is also innovative due to its comparative approach that combines different perspectives on how nations have been understood and how they came into being, highlighting the transnational connections between various countries. The authors examine what is meant by the concepts of 'nation' and 'national identity,' discussing themes such as citizenship, ethnicity, historical symbols and the role of elites. By exploring these entangled categories of nationalism, the authors argue that throughout history, elites have created 'artificial ' versions of nationalism through symbolism and mythology, which has led to nationalism being understood through social constructivist or primordialist lenses. This diverse collection will appeal to researchers studying nationalism, including historians, political scientists and anthropologists. 

This edited collection explores varying shapes of nationalism in different regional and historical settings in order to analyse the important role that nationalism has played in shaping the contemporary world. Taking a global approach, the collection includes case studies from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America. Unique not only in its wide range of geographically diverse case studies, this book is also innovative due to its comparative approach that combines different perspectives on how nations have been understood and how they came into being, highlighting the transnational connections between various countries. The authors examine what is meant by the concepts of ‘nation’ and ‘national identity,’ discussing themes such as citizenship, ethnicity, historical symbols and the role of elites. By exploring these entangled categories of nationalism, the authors argue that throughout history, elites have created ‘artificial ’ versions of nationalism through symbolism and mythology, which has led to nationalism being understood through social constructivist or primordialist lenses. This diverse collection will appeal to researchers studying nationalism, including historians, political scientists and anthropologists. 

1. Introduction; Jan Záhořík & Antonio Morone.- 2. Swedish and Norwegian Nationalism among Lutheran Missionaries in Early Twentieth-century KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Lars Berge.- 3. Antoun Saadeh and the Concept of the Syrian Nation; Ákos Ferwanger.- 4. On the Shores of Phoenicia: Phoenicianism, Political Maronitism, and Christian Nationalism in Lebanon; Francesco Mazzucotelli.- 5. Nationalism without Nation: Sudanese Decolonisation and its Aftermath; Moritz Mihatsch.- 6. Multiple Layers of Competing Nationalisms in Contemporary Ethiopia; Jan Záhořík.- 7. Comparing the Somali and Libyan Transition towards Independence: The Struggle between New and Former Elites; Antonio Morone.- 8. Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Birth of Mexican Nationalism: Reflection on Religious Symbols of the Mexican Nation; Radoslav Hlúšek.- 9. Japanese Nationalism: Ugly, Increasing and Official Government Policy; Axel Berkofsky.- Conclusion; Jan Záhořík & Antonio Morone.