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 3
... tradition and they wish to remain British in allegiance" (Barnett, 1982, p. 28). The rhetoric did not fall upon deaf ears. Just a month previously, according to Gallup Polls, 48 per cent of the British population believed Thatcher to be ...
... tradition and they wish to remain British in allegiance" (Barnett, 1982, p. 28). The rhetoric did not fall upon deaf ears. Just a month previously, according to Gallup Polls, 48 per cent of the British population believed Thatcher to be ...
Page 25
... traditions were invented. New artefacts, such as Scottish kilts or Coronation rituals, were created, but they were presented as if age-old traditions. 'Ancient' epic poems, extolling the nation, were occasionally forged (Cannadine, 1983 ...
... traditions were invented. New artefacts, such as Scottish kilts or Coronation rituals, were created, but they were presented as if age-old traditions. 'Ancient' epic poems, extolling the nation, were occasionally forged (Cannadine, 1983 ...
Page 26
... traditions, national identities were being created as if they were 'natural', even eternal, features of human existence. As Gellner argues, nationalism presents "itself as the affirmation of each and every 'nationality', and these ...
... traditions, national identities were being created as if they were 'natural', even eternal, features of human existence. As Gellner argues, nationalism presents "itself as the affirmation of each and every 'nationality', and these ...
Page 27
Michael Billig. much older traditions, stereotypes and myths. Similarly, Massimo d'Azeg- lio did not invent the term 'Italia ... traditional 'ethnie' grows from small shoot into the full flower of nationality, as if following a process of ...
Michael Billig. much older traditions, stereotypes and myths. Similarly, Massimo d'Azeg- lio did not invent the term 'Italia ... traditional 'ethnie' grows from small shoot into the full flower of nationality, as if following a process of ...
Page 40
... tradition francaise. When the government gives such flags lettres de noblesse, as Monsieur Balladur's did in September 1993, the Tricolor not only signals the quality of baking; it also flags the quality of the national tradition and ...
... tradition francaise. When the government gives such flags lettres de noblesse, as Monsieur Balladur's did in September 1993, the Tricolor not only signals the quality of baking; it also flags the quality of the national tradition and ...
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
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