Banal NationalismSAGE, 1995 M08 15 - 208 pages Michael Billig presents a major challenge to orthodox conceptions of nationalism in this elegantly written book. While traditional theorizing has tended to the focus on extreme expressions of nationalism, the author turns his attention to the everyday, less visible forms which are neither exotic or remote, he describes as `banal nationalism′. The author asks why people do not forget their national identity. He suggests that in daily life nationalism is constantly flagged in the media through routine symbols and habits of language. Banal Nationalism is critical of orthodox theories in sociology, politics and social psychology for ignoring this core feature of national identity. Michael Billig argues forcefully that with nationalism continuing to be a major ideological force in the contemporary world, it is all the more important to recognize those signs of nationalism which are so familiar that they are easily overlooked. |
From inside the book
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... Rhetoric Group who have given friendly criticism on early drafts. In particular, thanks to: Malcolm Ashmore, Derek Edwards, Mike Gane, Celia Kitzinger, Dave Middleton, Mike Pickering and Jonathan Potter. Also, I would like to thank ...
... Rhetoric Group who have given friendly criticism on early drafts. In particular, thanks to: Malcolm Ashmore, Derek Edwards, Mike Gane, Celia Kitzinger, Dave Middleton, Mike Pickering and Jonathan Potter. Also, I would like to thank ...
Page 1
... rhetoric is always revealing, for the leader will remind the followers why the most supreme of all sacrifices is being called upon. When President George Bush, speaking from the Oval Office in the White House, announced the start of the ...
... rhetoric is always revealing, for the leader will remind the followers why the most supreme of all sacrifices is being called upon. When President George Bush, speaking from the Oval Office in the White House, announced the start of the ...
Page 3
... rhetoric. The Falkland Islanders were, she said, "British in stock and tradition and they wish to remain British in allegiance" (Barnett, 1982, p. 28). The rhetoric did not fall upon deaf ears. Just a month previously, according to ...
... rhetoric. The Falkland Islanders were, she said, "British in stock and tradition and they wish to remain British in allegiance" (Barnett, 1982, p. 28). The rhetoric did not fall upon deaf ears. Just a month previously, according to ...
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... rhetoric which echoed pre-national times, claimed to be fighting "the army of atheism"; he asserted that the Iraqis ... rhetorical appearance. He called on God to bless "our forces" and "the coalition forces at our side". He finished ...
... rhetoric which echoed pre-national times, claimed to be fighting "the army of atheism"; he asserted that the Iraqis ... rhetorical appearance. He called on God to bless "our forces" and "the coalition forces at our side". He finished ...
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... rhetoric and an outbreak of ensigns. But the irruption soon dies down; the temperature passes; the flags are rolled up; and, then, it is business as usual. If that were the extent of nationalism in established nations, then nationalism ...
... rhetoric and an outbreak of ensigns. But the irruption soon dies down; the temperature passes; the flags are rolled up; and, then, it is business as usual. If that were the extent of nationalism in established nations, then nationalism ...
Contents
1 | |
13 | |
37 | |
National Identity in the World of Nations | 60 |
Flagging the Homeland Daily | 93 |
Postmodernity and Identity | 128 |
Philosophy as a Flag for the Pax Americana | 154 |
Concluding Remarks | 174 |
References | 178 |
Name Index | 193 |
Subject Index | 199 |
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Common terms and phrases
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