Symbols of defeat in the construction of national identity / Steven Mock.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mock, Steven J., 1972- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nationalism--History.

Nationalism.

National characteristics--Memory.

National characteristics.

Crises--Psychological aspects--History.

Crises.

Memory--Social aspects--History.

Memory.

Collective memory--History.

Collective memory.

Political messianism--History.

Political messianism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 297 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

If nationalism is the assertion of legitimacy for a nation and its effectiveness as a political entity, why do many nations emphasize images of their own defeat in understanding their history? Using Israel, Serbia, France, Greece and Ghana as examples, the author argues that this phenomenon exposes the ambivalence that lurks behind the passions nationalism evokes. Symbols of defeat glorify a nation's ancient past, while reenacting the destruction of that past as a necessary step in constructing a functioning modern society. As a result, these symbols often assume a foundational role in national mythology. Threats to such symbols are perceived as threats to the nation itself and consequently are met with desperation difficult for outsiders to understand.

Contents:

Theories of nations and nationalism

Totem sacrifice and national identity

Symbols of defeat in national monument and ritual

The defeat narrative in national myth and symbol

Implications to politics and diplomacy

Exceptions.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-107-22947-2

1-139-19980-3

1-280-48460-8

9786613579584

1-139-20571-4

1-139-20352-5

1-139-20650-8

1-139-20211-1

1-139-20492-0

1-139-00402-6

OCLC:

775869656