Nations, States, and Violence

Bibliographic Data

ID20005622
AuthorsDavid D Laitin (0000-0002-7911-7089, The James T. Watkins IV and Elise V. Watkins Professor of Political Science, Stanford University, corresponding author)
Year2007
Pages168
Publication date2007-07-26
Open AccessNo
TypeBOOK
VenueNations, States, and Violence (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherOxford University PressOxford (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199228232.001.0001
OpenAlexW4214508087
Open LibraryOL10145983M
ISBN9780199228232
LanguageEN
Citations received131
References cited19

This book presents a revisionist view of the sources of nationalism, the relationship of the nation to culture, and the implications of nationalism and cultural heterogeneity for the future of the nation-state. It accepts the now-standard view that national identities are not inherited traits but constructed communities in order to serve political ends. But the resulting national identities do not emerge from some metaphorical plebiscite as had been suggested by some; rather they result from efforts by people to coordinate their identities with people who share at least some cultural traits with them. Coordination leads to powerful social and cultural ties that are hard to unravel, and this explains the persistence of national identities. Understood as the result of coordination dynamics, the implications of national homogeneity and heterogeneity are explored. The book shows that national heterogeneity is not, as it is sometimes accused of being, a source of hatred. Nonetheless, there are advantages to homogeneity for the production of public goods and economic growth. Whatever the positive implications of homogeneity, the book shows that in the current world, classic nation-states are defunct. Heterogeneity is proliferating not only due to migration but also because small groups in many states once thought to be homogeneous are coordinating to demand national recognition. With the prohibitive costs of eliminating cultural heterogeneity, citizens and leaders need to learn how best to manage, or even take advantage of, national diversity within their countries. Management of diversity demands that we understand the coordination aspects of national heterogeneity, a perspective that this book provides

Economics · Hatred · Homogeneity (statistics) · Homogeneous · National identity · Nationalism · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Sociology · Culture, Economy, and Development Studies · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Religion and Society Interactions · Culturele aspecten · Current Events · Ethnic Studies · Geweld · Multiculturele samenlevingen · Nation-state · National state · Nationale identiteit · Nationalisme · Political Ideologies · Political Ideologies - Nationalism · Political violence · Politics & Government · Politics/International Relations · Violence in Society

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