Myths are central to the way we live and how we define ourselves. In this pioneering book, a group of specialists--among them Anthony Smith, Norman Davies, Geoffrey Hosking and George Schopflin--look at the general and theoretical nature of myth on a universal basis and examine the specific myths of various nations. With nationhood and ethnicity at the centre of political attention, the book is timely in illuminating the deeper, underlying issues of nationalism that cause so much conflict throughout the world.

The essays in this collection examine Sino-Japanese political relations given the phenomenon of ‘a rising China and a stagnating Japan’. Questioning whether their relationship is one of cooperation or conflict, the book reviews China and Japan’s bilateral ties to see whether they have deepened and broadened despite differences in outlook, national interest and political systems. Adding a new perspective to the Sino-Japanese political relations discussion, the book looks beyond the interactions of central governments to examine the role of NGOs, local governments and sub-regional linkages. The contributors adopt a range of analytical approaches and explore case studies including the Taiwan issue, Japanese Official Development Policy towards China and joint fishery management in the East China Sea. With perspectives from the US, Russia and Malaysia, the book yields new insights into this complex and multifaceted relationship and is a welcome addition to the current literature.

Nationalist Historiography examines how nationalist agendas influence historical narratives and national identity. This essential read explores the impact of nationalism on historiography across various contexts. Chapters Highlights: - 1: Nationalist Historiography - Basics of how nationalist views shape historical writing. - 2: Chinese Historiography - Influence of Chinese nationalism on historical scholarship. - 3: Nationalism - Broad implications of nationalism on historical interpretation. - 4: Aryan Race - Misuse of the Aryan race concept in nationalist historiography. - 5: National Myth - Construction of national myths through historical writing. - 6: Phoenicianism - Role of Phoenicianism in nationalist historiography. - 7: Vinko Pribojević - Contributions of Vinko Pribojević to nationalist historiography. - 8: Macedonian Nationalism - Historiographical approaches to Macedonian nationalism. - 9: Albanian Nationalism - Historiographical narratives surrounding Albanian nationalism. - 10: Indigenism - Influence of indigenism on nationalist movements and historical interpretations. - 11: Nationalization of History - Process and effects of nationalizing history. - 12: Ethnosymbolism - Role of symbols in nationalist historiography. - 13: Korean Nationalist Historiography - Features and influence of Korean nationalist historiography. - 14: Historiography of Albania - Development of Albanian historiography and national consciousness. - 15: Antiquization - Reinterpretation of historical figures for nationalist agendas. - 16: Serbian Historiography - Impact of Serbian historiography on Balkan perspectives. - 17: Albanian Nationalism in Albania - Specifics of Albanian nationalism and local historiography. - 18: Historiography in North Macedonia - North Macedonian historiography amidst regional conflicts. - 19: Historiography of India - Influence of nationalism on Indian historical interpretations. - 20: Nationalism in the Middle Ages - Nationalism’s impact on medieval historical narratives. - 21: Nationalism and Archaeology - Intersection of nationalism and archaeological findings. Nationalist Historiography offers critical insights into the political dimensions of historical writing, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of history and nationalism.

First published in 1990, The Myths We Live By explores how memory and tradition are continually reshaped and recycled to make sense of the past from the standpoint of the present. The book makes use of the rich material of recorded life stories, with examples stretching from the transient myths of contemporary Italian school children on strike, back to the family legends of classical Greece, and the traditional storytelling of Canadian Indians. The range of examples is international and together they advocate a transformed history, which actively relates subjective and objective, past and present, politics and poetry, and highlights history as a living force in the present. The Myths We Live By will appeal to anyone interested in oral history, memory, and myth.

Discover the unseen forces shaping our identities with "Banal Nationalism," an essential addition to the "Political Science" series. This book explores how nationalism subtly infuses daily life, influencing societal perceptions in ways we often overlook. Understanding banal nationalism is crucial for grasping modern political and cultural dynamics, revealing the omnipresence of national identity in everyday interactions. Chapters Highlights: 1. Banal Nationalism - The concept of mundane daily aspects reinforcing national identities. 2. Nationalism - Foundational knowledge on various forms and societal impacts. 3. Nation - The nation's role in shaping collective identity and political unity. 4. Patriotism - How patriotism differs from nationalism, fostering national pride and loyalty. 5. Romantic Nationalism - Idealized visions of national identity and cultural heritage. 6. National Myth - The role of myths in sustaining collective memories and identities. 7. Hindutva - Influence on Indian nationalism and socio-political landscapes. 8. Identity Politics - Intersection with nationalism in shaping modern political discourse. 9. Ethnic Religion - Contribution to nationalist sentiments. 10. Quebec Nationalism - Quest for cultural and political autonomy within Canada. 11. Imagined Community - Benedict Anderson's concept and its relevance. 12. Political Geography - Geographical dimensions and influence on national identities. 13. Pan-Nationalism - Transcending national boundaries for broader collective identity. 14. Michael Billig - Contributions to the study of banal nationalism. 15. Syrian Nationalism - Role in Syria's socio-political environment. 16. Sin Chaeho - Influence on Korean nationalism and national consciousness. 17. Cultural Nationalism - Emphasizing cultural heritage in national identity. 18. Types of Nationalism - Overview of various types and characteristics. 19. Ethnosymbolism - Connecting national identity with symbols, traditions, and myths. 20. Ethnic Nationalism - Focus on ethnicity in national identity. 21. Arab Identity - Concept within the context of nationalism and regional politics. "Banal Nationalism" is more than just a book; it’s an invaluable resource offering deep insights across a spectrum of nationalism-related topics. Perfect for professionals, students, and enthusiasts alike, it provides critical perspectives and nuanced analyses necessary for mastering nationalism's intricacies in contemporary society.

Branding Authoritarian Nations offers a novel approach to the study of nation branding as a strategy for political legitimation in authoritarian regimes using the example of military-ruled Thailand. The book argues that nation branding is a political act that is integral to state legitimation processes, particularly in the context of authoritarian regimes. It applies its alternative reading of nation branding to eight different sectors: tourism, economy, foreign direct investment, foreign policy, education, culture, public relations, and the private sector. The author explains that nation branding produces specific kinds of applied national myths, referred to as ‘strategic national myths.’ She shows that nation branding is an inherently inward-looking strategy aimed at shaping the social attitudes and behaviours of the nation’s citizens in line with the government’s domestic agenda and legitimation needs. Providing the first comprehensive analysis of nation branding in Thailand and the first book-length account of the country’s political developments since the 2014–2019 military rule, the book is primarily aimed at academics in the disciplines of politics, international relations, communication, and area studies as well as business, cultural, and intercultural studies.

Venice holds a unique place in literary and cultural history. Barnes looks at the themes of war, occupation, resistance and fascism to see how the political background has affected the literary works that have come out of this great city. He focuses on key British and American writers, including Byron, Ruskin, Pound and Eliot.

The contributors to this study critically de-construct Albanian myths and offer insights into Albanian history and politics. They conclude with contemporary Albanian critiques of the origins and functions of Albanian politics and ideologies.

Focusing on two case studies from East Asia and Europe, Yinan He argues that the key to interstate reconciliation is the harmonization of national memories.

One of the world’s leading theorists of nationalism offers a new synthesis In the history of modern political thought, no topics have attracted as much attention as nationalism, nation-formation, and patriotism. A mass of literature has grown around these vexed issues, muddying the waters, and a level-headed clarification is long overdue. Rather than adding another theory of nationalism to this maelstrom of ideas, Miroslav Hroch has created a remarkable synthesis, integrating apparently competing frameworks into a coherent system that tracks the historical genesis of European nations through the sundry paths of the nation-forming processes of the nineteenth century. Combining a comparative perspective on nation-formation with invaluable theoretical insights, European Nations is essential for anyone who wants to understand the historical roots of Europe’s current political crisis.