| Description |
319 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm |
| Contents |
1. Shadows of modernity -- I. Theoretical explorations -- 2. Compromise and closure: a theory of social dynamics -- 3. The making of modern communities -- II. State-building and ethnic conflict -- 4. Who owns the state? Ethnic conflicts after the end of empires -- 5. Nationalism and ethnic mobilisation in Mexico -- 6. From empire to ethnocracy: Iraq since the Ottomans -- III. The politics of exclusion in nationalised states -- 7. Racism and xenophobia -- 8. Nationalising multi-ethnic Switzerland |
| Summary |
"Wimmer show that nationalist and ethnic politics shaped modernity in a much more fundamental way than acknowledged by classic and contemporary social sciences. The modern state govern in the name of people that was defined in ethnic and national terms. Democratic participation, equality before the low and protection from arbitrary violence were offered only to the ethnic group in a privileged relationship with the emerging nation-state. According to varying geometries of power, the dynamics of exclusion took on different forms. Where nation building was 'successful', immigrants and 'ethnic minorities' are excluded from full participation; they risk being targets of xenophobia and racism. In weaker states, political closure proceeded along ethnic, rather than national lines and leads to corresponding forms of conflict and violence. In shi chapters on Mexico, Iraq and Switzerland, Wimmer provides extended case studies that support and contextualise this argument." - Half t.p |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Notes |
Print version record |
| Subject |
Nation-state.
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Nationalism.
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Ethnic groups -- Political activity.
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Immigrants -- Political activity.
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Minorities -- Political activity.
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| LC no. |
2001052487 |
| ISBN |
052101185X pb |
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