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Symbols of Nations and Nationalism

Celebrating Nationhood

  • Book
  • © 2011

Overview

Authors:
  1. Gabriella Elgenius

    1. University of Oxford, UK

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  • Explores the role of national symbols and ceremonies as markers of nation-building
  • Argues that symbolism is a significant element of the nation-building process as it authenticates boundaries
  • Highlights self-reference, differentiation, and recognition, as three crucial processes in nation-building.

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
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  2. Introduction

    • Gabriella Elgenius
    Pages 1-11

  3. National Symbols and Ceremonies: The Construction and Authentication of Boundaries

    • Gabriella Elgenius
    Pages 12-26

  4. National Flag Origins: Religion, Revolution and Rivalry

    • Gabriella Elgenius
    Pages 27-56

  5. National Flags, the Politicization and Sanctification of Nations

    • Gabriella Elgenius
    Pages 57-93

  6. National Days in Nation Building: Similarities and Differences

    • Gabriella Elgenius
    Pages 94-132

  7. National Day Design: Towards a Typology of Successful National Days

    • Gabriella Elgenius
    Pages 133-185

  8. The Symbolic Regimes and Nation Building

    • Gabriella Elgenius
    Pages 186-200

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 201-232
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Keywords

About this book

Providing an original perspective on the construction of nations and national identities, this book examines national symbols and ceremonies, arguing that, far from being just superficial or decorative, they are in fact an integral part of nation building, maintenance and change.

Reviews

''This rich, tightly argued, densely packed book is essential reading for all students of nationalism.'' - European Societies

''Gabriela Elgenius has written a highly readable book, with a solid basis in the literature on nationalism and nation building. She is to be praised for her comparative approach to flags and national days, and for her systematic presentation of overarching trends and typologies.'' - Nations and Nationalism

''This book is well conceived and well written, and it makes an intelligent and original contribution to the study of nations and nationalism. The book has many virtues and is one of the best and most complete studies I have seen on the role of symbols and ceremonies in constructing the nation.'' - Ethnic and Racial Studies

"Because of the support it offers for contemporary scholarship on national identity, its European focus, and its new typology of national symbolism, Elgenius's work is a welcome contribution to our knowledge of national identity, and will be the standard sociological work on European flags and national days for some time to come." - Contemporary Sociology

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Oxford, UK

    Gabriella Elgenius

About the author

GABRIELLA ELGENUIS British Academy Research Fellow at Nuffield College, the Department of Sociology, University of Oxford, UK. Her research interests include national symbols, national days and national museums, diaspora communities in Britain and the decline of traditional identities.

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