On Nations & Nationalism since 1870.
We start by dealing with your questions regarding last month's RC, on Stalin, Zhukhov and WWII.
Then we read and discuss Eric Hobsbawm's classic work in which he emphasises that nations are exclusively modern constructions. We discuss:
How succulent Hobsbawm's account is
Whether he was wrong about globalisation eclipsing nationalism – and why he argued this
Whether the revolutionary-democratic aspects of nationalism can be rescued from its later ethnic-particularist elements
What the relationship is between citizenship, patriotism and nationalism
How nationalism intersected with revolution - and fascism
And whether the nation is any more solid an exit from our political vacuum than whatever other postmodern BS
Links:
Nations and Nationalism since 1780: Programme, Myth, Reality, Eric Hobsbawm
Some reflections on 'The Break-up of Britain', Eric Hobsbawm, New Left Review (pdf)
