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
Results 1-5 of 78
Page 5
... state have collapsed, typically at a distance from the established centres of the West. From the perspective of Paris, London or Washington, places such as Moldova, Bosnia and Ukraine are ... nation-states as nation-states. Introduction 5.
... state have collapsed, typically at a distance from the established centres of the West. From the perspective of Paris, London or Washington, places such as Moldova, Bosnia and Ukraine are ... nation-states as nation-states. Introduction 5.
Page 9
... nation, in particular, is seeking to represent this order. At the present juncture, special attention should be paid ... state. The rise of the state has brought about an ideological transformation of common sense. Building upon the ...
... nation, in particular, is seeking to represent this order. At the present juncture, special attention should be paid ... state. The rise of the state has brought about an ideological transformation of common sense. Building upon the ...
Page 11
... nation. Because politicians have become celebrities in the contemporary age ... state calls upon its citizenry, and especially its male citizenry, to make ... nation-state belongs to the modern age and is being superseded in the ...
... nation. Because politicians have become celebrities in the contemporary age ... state calls upon its citizenry, and especially its male citizenry, to make ... nation-state belongs to the modern age and is being superseded in the ...
Page 13
... nation-state was not sufficiently important to merit the front page of this 'serious' British newspaper. This, in ... state. By the omission, the paper was indicating that readers could be expected to understand such national aspirations ...
... nation-state was not sufficiently important to merit the front page of this 'serious' British newspaper. This, in ... state. By the omission, the paper was indicating that readers could be expected to understand such national aspirations ...
Page 14
... state, in which all citizens speak the same language. John Edwards has observed that "language is still commonly ... nation, and indeed its genius, lay in its language. According to this view, a Belgium, cobbled together out of Flemish ...
... state, in which all citizens speak the same language. John Edwards has observed that "language is still commonly ... nation, and indeed its genius, lay in its language. According to this view, a Belgium, cobbled together out of Flemish ...
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