Nationalism and Territory: Constructing Group Identity in Southeastern Europe (Geographical Perspectives on the Human Past) - Softcover

White, George W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0847698092 ISBN 13: 9780847698097

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2000

Synopsis

Why do nations come into conflict? What factors lead to the horrors of ethnic cleansing? This timely book offers clear-eyed answers to these questions by exploring how national identity is shaped by place, focusing especially on Serbia, Hungary, and Romania. Moving beyond studies of nationalism that consider only the economic and geostrategic value of territory, George White shows that the very core of national identity is intimately bound to specific places. Indeed, nations define themselves in terms of spaces that have historical, linguistic, and religious meaning, as Serbs have clearly demonstrated in Kosovo. These territories are concrete expressions of a nationOs identity, both past and present. With his detailed analysis of the places that define national identity in Southeastern Europe, White convincingly shows why territorial disputes so often escalate into war.

About this title

About the Author:

George W. White is assistant professor of geography at Frostburg State University.

Review:

This book is highly recommended to readers interested in national identity and/or central and south-eastern Europe. The book is well-written, and offers a highly detailed and fascinating account of some of the root causes of historical and contemporary conflicts in the region. Nationalism and Territory is a commendable geographically- and historically-based study of selected contemporary geopolitical problems in central and south-eastern Europe, and a very good addition to the literature on factors shaping national identity. (National Identity)

This eloquently written book is clearly thought provoking and refreshing. This theoretical insight combined with the intriguing empirical analyses of nationalism and identity in the three Eastern European countries make White's book important and thought provoking reading that needs to be considered not only for those focusing on Eastern Europe itself, but for all studies of nation. The latter is a merit that has the potential to make White's book a modern classic.... (Geografiska Annaler)

An interesting interweaving of detailed historical material with pieces of poetry and maps showing location of 'significant' places and territorial shifts in the history of these nations. The factual material is enriched by the author's interpretation of the importance of the said territories and places. All this makes interesting reading. (Ethnic and Racial Studies)

This book indentifies an important and often times neglected issue in the discussion over nation and nationalism. (Seer)

One of the major contributions of this book is that White carefully distinguishes through an examination of the literature, art, and music; the location of monuments and institutions; and the history of a country, what parts of its territory are core, semi-core, and periphery. This is of great relevance to political scientists who have recently turned their attention to the special role territorial disputes play in the onset of war. In principle, White's work permits a more precise measurment of whether a particular territorial claim will give rise to war by examining whether the disputed territory falls within the core, semi-core, or periphery. (The International History Review)

This is a fascinating and thoughtful book. (CHOICE)

This eloquently written book is clearly thought provoking and refreshing. This theoretical insight combined with the intriguing empirical analyses of nationalism and identity in the three Eastern European countries make White's book important and thought provoking reading that needs to be considered not only for those focusing on Eastern Europe itself, but for all studies of nation. The latter is a merit that has the potential to make White's book a modern classic. (Geografiska Annaler)

Usefully complements recent work which has explored the relationship between landscapes and national identities in Western Europe. This is an accessible work which contains much interesting material (along with over 40 high-quality maps) and it serves as a useful introduction to South-eastern Europe. (Transaction--Journal Of Royal Geographical Society)

A valuable contribution to the growing literature on territorial boundaries, national identity, and ethnic conflict. Students of international relations should find compelling White's insights about the connection between ethnic cleansing and the significance of territory to national identity. (Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0847698092
• ISBN 13: 9780847698097
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 328