Introduction
PART ONE: OLD AND NEW LINES OF UNDERSTANDING
The Nation as an Abstract Community
National Formation in Theory
PART TWO: CLASSICAL THEORY
Marx and Engels
`Seeing through the Veil?′
Durkheim and Weber
The Antinomies of Abstract Nationalism
PART THREE: CONTEMPORARY THEORY
National Formation and the Janus Faces of History
A Critique of Marxism
Nation Formation and the `Rise of the Cultural′
A Critique of Liberal Sociology
Nation Formation and the Instituting State
A Critique of Structuration
Themes for a Theory of the Nation
Paul James is Director of the Globalism Institute at RMIT in
Australia, an editor of Arena Journal, and on the Council of the
Institute of Postcolonial Studies. He has received a number of
awards including the Japan-Australia Foundation Fellowship, an
Australian Research Council Fellowship, and the Crisp Medal by the
Australasian Political Studies Association for the best book in the
field of political studies. He is author/editor of many books
including, Nation Formation: Towards a Theory of Abstract Community
(Sage Publications, 1996). His latest books are Global Matrix:
Nationalism, Globalism and State-Terrorism (Pluto, 2005), and
Globalism, Nationalism, Tribalism: Bringing Theory Back In (Sage
Publications, 2006). His interests are threefold: first, globalism,
nationalism and localism, including the changing nature of the
nation-state and the effects of an emergent level of global
integration; second, social theory with a concentration on theories
of culture, community and social formation; and third, contemporary
politics and society with an emphasis on debates over technology
and social change.
With
John Tulloch is Professor of Sociology at Brunel University, UK.
His research and publications have ranged from film and television
studies and theatre through literary theory to history and
sociology. His work in film and television theory has shifted from
historical analysis to more current production/audience analyses of
popular television, such as Australian soap opera and British TV
science fiction. Notable influences on his work have been Raymond
Williams and Stuart Hall and more recently Ulrick Beck.
Peter Mandaville is an Associate Professor in the Department of
Public and International Affairs and Co-Director of Mason′s Center
for Global Studies. He has authored numerous book chapters and
journal articles, contributed to publications such as the
International Herald Tribune and The New Republic, and consulted
extensively for media, government and non-profit agencies. Much of
his recent work has focused on the comparative study of religious
authority and social movements in the Muslim world. His current
research includes projects on Muslim leadership in the West and the
relationship between globalization and development.
Imre Szemán is Senator William McMaster Chair of Globalization and
Cultural Studies at McMaster University. He is the founder of the
Canadian Association of Cultural Studies and a founding member of
the Cultural Studies Association (U.S.). His main areas of research
are globalization, visual cultural studies, contemporary popular
culture and social and cultural theory. He has published more than
fifty articles and book chapters on a range of topics.
Manfred B. Steger is Professor of Global Studies and Academic
Director of the Globalism Institute at RMIT University. He is also
Program Leader of ′Globalization and Culture′, in the Global Cities
Institute at RMIT University. He has delivered many lectures on
globalization, ideology, and nonviolence in the Americas, Asia,
Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. He serves on
several editorial boards of academic journals as well as on the
advisory boards of several globalization research centers around
the world.
`Paul James makes an impressive effort to analyze both the classical theories by Marx and Engels, Durkheim and Weber and the contemporary theories concerning nation, nationalism and nation-states. Anyone who wants a balanced overview of the present debate on these concepts should do well to read this book′ - New Routes `Much of what James says is perceptive and persuasive, making his book indispensible for students of nationalism′ - Nations and Nationalism `Nation Formation is comprehensive in its critical engagement with the principal theories of nationalism and unusually rich in its use of historical illustration′ - Andrew Linklater, Keele University `Well structured, clear and engaging - it builds on and moves beyond a critique of other texts. It is in many ways the kind of book a reviewer dreads - there is very little left to say!′ - Keith Tester, University of Portsmouth `Paul James has written an interesting book about one of the most contested issues in contemporary social theory.... The book is certainly recommended to any student or scholar interested in the area. Especially the analysis and criticism of Nairn, Gellner and Giddens. It is excellent!′ - European Journal of Development Research
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