The Making of English National IdentityCambridge University Press, 2003 M03 13 Why is English national identity so enigmatic and so elusive? Why, unlike the Scots, Welsh, Irish and most of continental Europe, do the English find it so difficult to say who they are? The Making of English National Identity, first published in 2003, is a fascinating exploration of Englishness and what it means to be English. Drawing on historical, sociological and literary theory, Krishan Kumar examines the rise of English nationalism and issues of race and ethnicity from earliest times to the present day. He argues that the long history of the English as an imperial people has, as with other imperial people like the Russians and the Austrians, developed a sense of missionary nationalism which in the interests of unity and empire has necessitated the repression of ordinary expressions of nationalism. Professor Kumar's lively and provocative approach challenges readers to reconsider their pre-conceptions about national identity and who the English really are. |
From inside the book
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... on the part of a scholar or intellectual to devote much time to their investigation. At most one notes the absence of nationalism, then moves onto moreimportant matters. Inhistrawl through the periodical literature on nationalism ...
... on the part of a scholar or intellectual to devote much time to their investigation. At most one notes the absence of nationalism, then moves onto moreimportant matters. Inhistrawl through the periodical literature on nationalism ...
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... on the subject (Snyder 1990: 88–92). Even thenew workon 'British Studies' was lesshelpfulthan at firstmight have appeared. Though recognizing that'England' was not 'Britain', the tendency ofthe writers was toemphasize the British ...
... on the subject (Snyder 1990: 88–92). Even thenew workon 'British Studies' was lesshelpfulthan at firstmight have appeared. Though recognizing that'England' was not 'Britain', the tendency ofthe writers was toemphasize the British ...
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... on the ethnic homogeneityof thesocieties involved ... Tothis day, liberal civic nationalism works effectivelyonlyin societies thathave dominant ethnicmajorities (as inFrance or Britain)or that are so abundant (asin America) that ethnic ...
... on the ethnic homogeneityof thesocieties involved ... Tothis day, liberal civic nationalism works effectivelyonlyin societies thathave dominant ethnicmajorities (as inFrance or Britain)or that are so abundant (asin America) that ethnic ...
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... on the nature of empireasa general political form as on the perceptions of particular groups within it. It is these groups that may exhibit 'missionary' nationalism, sometimesto thepoint of threateningthe imperial structuresthat allow ...
... on the nature of empireasa general political form as on the perceptions of particular groups within it. It is these groups that may exhibit 'missionary' nationalism, sometimesto thepoint of threateningthe imperial structuresthat allow ...
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... were intended to change that situation; and the book that he produced from them certainly had an enormous impact on the late Victorian public. But it is a signal measure of his failure in a wider context that scholars.
... were intended to change that situation; and the book that he produced from them certainly had an enormous impact on the late Victorian public. But it is a signal measure of his failure in a wider context that scholars.
Common terms and phrases
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