Cultural Foundations of Nations

Anthony D. Smith is President of the Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is author of numerous works on nationalism including The Ethnic Origins of Nations (Blackwell, 1986), Chosen Peoples: Sacred Sources of National Identity (2003) and The Antiquity of Nations (2004). He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Nations and Nationalism.

"Cultural Foundations is likely to find a place in many seminars on the study of nations and nationalism. It offers a concise overview of the state of the field, as well as a theoretical approach to the study of nations that is worth the careful consideration of historians, sociologists, and political scientists." (The Historian, 1 March 2011) "This book bears the unmistakable hallmarks of a work by Anthony D. Smith. The theme, the breadth of cases covered, generous sprinkles of insights from history of art and measured critiques of modernist positions are all Anthony D. Smith par excellence. There are no nasty surprises and the reader can simply sit back and let his/her mind wander off to enjoy the intellectual tour under Smith's sure guidance."  (European History Quarterly, 2011)“Smith’s attempt to reintegrate pre-modern history into the study of nations and nationalism is certainly to be welcomed, as it highlights the degree to which even modern nationalism draws on cultural practices and ideological concepts that are indeed of very old origin.” (Journal of Contemporary History, July 2009)"Anthony Smith remains the most original scholar working in the field of nationalism. In this important book, he throws new light on premodern traditions of the nation and offers a new chronology for the emergence of nationalism."John Hutchinson, London School of Economics"Once again, Smith proves himself to be the doyen of nationalism studies. In The Cultural Foundations of Nations, written with his customary erudition and clarity, he reveals the variety of forms that nationalism has taken over the ages. This exploration of the “dating” and “shaping” of nations is a powerful demonstration of historical sociology at its very best."John Stone, Boston University"An intellectual tour de force: bold, carefully argued and provocative. Smith identifies different historical forms of nation and distinctive public cultures emerging from Antiquity up to the Global Age. He explores the legacy of hierarchy, covenant and republic upon modern nations and offers a compelling analysis of nationalisms as forms of a secular religion of the people which have evolved alongside or in opposition to traditional religions."Montserrat Guibernau, Queen Mary College, University of London "An important development has occurred with the publication of The Cultural Foundations of Nations: Smith has significantly furthered and deepened our understanding of nations and nationalism through an historical analysis of three patterns of social relations - hierarchy, covenant and republic - that rightly recognizes the relative independence of culture. His analysis is carried out with impressively wide-ranging and historical nuance - a powerful analysis that properly not only tolerates but also invites numerous ambiguities and complications as any serious investigation into nations should. With the publication of this book, all scholars of nations and nationalism, once again but more so as never before, owe a debt of gratitude to Anthony Smith."Steven Grosby, Clemson University, author of Nationalism: A Very Short Introduction

• Preface. Introduction: The Theoretical Debate.1 The Concept and its Varieties.2 Ethnic and Religious Roots.3 Community in the Ancient World.4 Hierarchical Nations.5 Covenantal Nations.6 Republican Nations.7 Alternative Destinies.Conclusion.Notes.References