National Liberation

Nationalism dominates modern politics. The idea that the world consists primarily of "nations", and that these are the only proper basis for states, has become a rarely questioned assumption. Yet nationalism was an invention of nineteenth-century Europe and, just as it had a beginning, so also could it come to an end. In this provocative book Nigel Harris takes a new look at the origins of nationalism in the rise of capitalism and the modern state. He examines the alternative tradition of internationalism in the post-revolutionary Soviet Union as a background to the astonishing revival of nationalism in the former USSR . He then traces these themes to revolutionary China, with comparable case studies of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Harris also considers Zionism as a countercase of a national liberation founded upon the exclusion of the indigenous population. In the final part of this stimulating investigation the author reflects on the long-term viability of nationalism.
Invaluable to students and scholars interested in ethnonationalism, international relations, and political science, "National liberation" offers a clear perspective on the problems and concerns of nationalism in an integrating world economy. "Nigel Harris is a member of a small unit specializing in developing countries at University College London, and works extensively in developing countries. Harris is the author of several other books including "The end of the Third World; City, class and trade; "and "Of bread and guns: the world economy in crisis.".