You are here

Banal Nationalism
Share

Banal Nationalism



August 1995 | 208 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Michael Billig presents a major challenge to orthodox conceptions of nationalism in this elegantly written book. While traditional theorizing has tended to the focus on extreme expressions of nationalism, the author turns his attention to the everyday, less visible forms which are neither exotic or remote, he describes as `banal nationalism'.

The author asks why people do not forget their national identity. He suggests that in daily life nationalism is constantly flagged in the media through routine symbols and habits of language. Banal Nationalism is critical of orthodox theories in sociology, politics and social psychology for ignoring this core feature of national identity. Michael Billig argues forcefully that with nationalism continuing to be a major ideological force in the contemporary world, it is all the more important to recognize those signs of nationalism which are so familiar that they are easily overlooked.

 
Introduction
 
Nations and Languages
 
Remembering Banal Nationalism
 
National Identity in the World of Nations
 
Flagging the Homeland Daily
 
Postmodernity and Identity
 
Philosophy as a Flag for the Pax Americana
 
Concluding Remarks

For instructors

Please contact your Academic Consultant to check inspection copy availability for your course.

Select a Purchasing Option

ISBN: 9780803975255
£46.99
ISBN: 9780803975248
£144.00

SAGE Knowledge is the premier social sciences platform for SAGE and CQ Press book, reference and video content.

The platform allows researchers to cross-search and seamlessly access a wide breadth of must-have SAGE book and reference content from one source.