Banal NationalismMichael Billig presents a major challenge to orthodox conceptions of nationalism in this elegantly written book. While traditional theorizing has tended to the focus on extreme expressions of nationalism, the author turns his attention to the everyday, less visible forms which are neither exotic or remote, he describes as `banal nationalism′. The author asks why people do not forget their national identity. He suggests that in daily life nationalism is constantly flagged in the media through routine symbols and habits of language. Banal Nationalism is critical of orthodox theories in sociology, politics and social psychology for ignoring this core feature of national identity. Michael Billig argues forcefully that with nationalism continuing to be a major ideological force in the contemporary world, it is all the more important to recognize those signs of nationalism which are so familiar that they are easily overlooked. |
From inside the book
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Page 4
... consciousness of nationhood can be seen to be at work. It embraces a complex set of themes about 'us', 'our homeland', 'nations' ('ours' and 'theirs'), the 'world', as well as the morality of national duty and honour. Moreover, these ...
... consciousness of nationhood can be seen to be at work. It embraces a complex set of themes about 'us', 'our homeland', 'nations' ('ours' and 'theirs'), the 'world', as well as the morality of national duty and honour. Moreover, these ...
Page 10
... consciousness. In doing this, it criticizes social psychological theories that see nationalism as merely one form of identity amongst countless others. Nationalism is more than this: it is a way of thinking or ideological consciousness ...
... consciousness. In doing this, it criticizes social psychological theories that see nationalism as merely one form of identity amongst countless others. Nationalism is more than this: it is a way of thinking or ideological consciousness ...
Page 12
... consciousness; it is present in the very words which we might try to use for analysis. It is naive to think that a text of exposure can escape from the times and place of its formulation. It can attempt, instead, to do something more ...
... consciousness; it is present in the very words which we might try to use for analysis. It is naive to think that a text of exposure can escape from the times and place of its formulation. It can attempt, instead, to do something more ...
Page 15
... consciousness - 'our' consciousness, as much as 'theirs'. Ideologies are patterns of belief and practice, which make existing social arrangements appear 'natural' or inevitable (Eagleton, 1991). Thus, patriarchal ideology makes it ...
... consciousness - 'our' consciousness, as much as 'theirs'. Ideologies are patterns of belief and practice, which make existing social arrangements appear 'natural' or inevitable (Eagleton, 1991). Thus, patriarchal ideology makes it ...
Page 17
... consciousness appear natural, taking for granted the world of nations. Later chapters will provide examples of the ways in which social scientists have projected and naturalized nationalism. Some do both simultaneously: 'our patriotism ...
... consciousness appear natural, taking for granted the world of nations. Later chapters will provide examples of the ways in which social scientists have projected and naturalized nationalism. Some do both simultaneously: 'our patriotism ...
Contents
1 | |
13 | |
37 | |
National Identity in the World of Nations | 60 |
Flagging the Homeland Daily | 93 |
Postmodernity and Identity | 128 |
Philosophy as a Flag for the Pax Americana | 154 |
Concluding Remarks | 174 |
References | 178 |
Name Index | 193 |
Subject Index | 199 |
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Common terms and phrases
according American appear argued assumed audience banal banal nationalism become boundaries Britain British called Cambridge century Chapter citizens claim consciousness contemporary context continue created critics culture daily deixis described discourse distinction established ethnic Europe example exist familiar flag force foreign forgetting French global Guardian habits hegemony homeland hopes idea ideology imagined important independence individual interests language liberal linguistic live London major means merely movements nation-state national identity nationalist nationhood natural newspapers ourselves particular party patriotic patterns person philosophy political politicians postmodern present President Press psychological readers represent rhetoric Rorty Rorty's routine seek seems seen sense social society sort speak speakers speech sporting stereotypes story suggested symbols talking tend term territory themes theory thinking tradition United universal waved whole world of nations writes