Nationalism and Beyond
Introducing Moral Debate about Values
Nenad Miscevic, Central European University,
Budapest
"...a comprehensive and accessible introduction
to the moral debate on nationalism... the book contains
a wealth of witty examples and analogies, a reflection
of the author's philosophical background, which turns
the process of reading into an enjoyable experience.
Overall, Nationalism and Beyond is a refreshing
contribution to a field dominated by pro-nationalist
analyses and an important intervention in the subject.
In a world of nations and nationalisms, Miscevic does
not hesitate to take the bull by the horns and this
in itself is a major accomplishment." Studies
in Ethnicity and Nationalism
"On the rather dusty shelf of studies
on nationalism, Miscevic’s book undoubtedly stands
out. It is an audacious, entertaining and at times rather
brilliant critique of nationalism as a political programme."
- INCORE (Ethnic Conflict Research Digest)
A very readable introduction to the concepts and principles
shaping the philosophical debate around nationalism.
The book provides portraits of two kinds of nationalists:
the tougher type, more common in everyday life, and
the ultra-moderate "liberal nationalist" encountered
in academia. The author introduces a debate with a "thoughtful
nationalist," one who defends the view that states should
be organized around national culture and that individuals
have basic obligations to their nation. The author attempts
to answer his opponent's standard arguments and presents
a fully documented critique of his views.
A passion born from Miscevic's encounter with nationalism
in the former Yugoslavia glows from every line of the
argument. Questions raised and discussed include: Why
is radicalism typical of nationalism? How successful
is the nation-state? Does nationalism support liberal-democratic
values? Is membership in a nation necessary for human
fulfillment and for understanding values? Why might
nationalism be immoral?
The book is unique not only because it explains a contemporary
moral debate, in terms clear to the non-philosopher
reader, but also because it has been written from the
perspective of Central and Eastern Europe based on the
author's personal experience.
Professor Miscevic is a member of the Steering Committee
of the European Society for Analytic Philosophy, of
which he was president until 1999. He has lectured as
invited professor at various universities including
CREA in Paris, the Institute for International Studies
in Geneva, the Institute of Federalism in Fribourg,
as well as at the universities of Memphis, Graz (Austria)
and Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic).
2001
270 pages
ISBN 963-9241-11-4 cloth $54.95 / €46.95 / £37.00
ISBN 963-9241-12-1 paperback $24.95 / €21.95 /
£18.99
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