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  • Cited by 371
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
September 2009
Print publication year:
2002
Online ISBN:
9780511490415

Book description

Andreas Wimmer argues that nationalist and ethnic politics have shaped modern societies to a far greater extent than has been acknowledged by social scientists. The modern state governs in the name of a people defined in ethnic and national terms. Democratic participation, equality before the law and protection from arbitrary violence were offered only to the ethnic group in a privileged relationship with the emerging nation-state. Depending on circumstances, 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 chapters on Mexico, Iraq and Switzerland, Wimmer provides extended case studies that support and contextualise this argument.

Reviews

‘… complex and thought-provoking.‘

Source: Contemporary Political Theory

‘… subtle … theoretically rich … an extremely valuable resource for students of participation and democracy.‘

Source: Political Studies Review

‘Wimmer’s knowledge of the relevant historical and social science literature is always impressive … this expansion of political anthropology beyond the level of the microstudy has to be welcomed.’

Source: Anthropos

‘Wimmer‘s book is learned and theoretically wide-ranging, and his perspectives on social closure (Weber‘s concept) are based on a reformulation of the concept of culture. … Wimmer‘s book is … a stimulating addition to the interdisciplinary literature on nationalism.‘

Source: Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

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