Brubaker discusses how nationalism has been both the cause and effect of the great reorganization of political boundaries in Europe and how in less than a hundred years the changes that took place in such continent almost gave nationalism a new definition. In the introduction, Brubaker gives the reader some background information regarding the “Single European Act” proposed in 1992, where Europe wanted to dissolve national frontiers within and create some sort of a super nation where citizens and goods would be able to move freely. Although the project didn’t work, in a way it served as a possible blueprint for a similar national movement. Brubaker argues that “…nationalism should be understood without invoking nations as substantial entities… we should focus on nationhood and nationness, on “nation” as a practical category…” (Brubaker, Pg 7, 1996).
Chapter two uses the Soviet Union and its successor state as a unique example where Brubaker argues that nationhood and nationality and even ethno cultural nationality played an important role in the Russian society. The Soviet regime transmitted a set of expectations where members from different races and cultural groups were expected to feel a sense of belonging even though many people living under the Soviet government were not citizens or even ethnically Russians. Brubaker argues that those factors will probably cause an “explosive” ethno national conflict. Chapter three and five creates a link between the Soviet Union and post-communist Europe how small newly created nations and ethnic groups try to find their way and create a new national homeland. Brubaker also compares and contrast Weimar Germany and post Soviet Russian and how the loss of territory, weak democratic political structure and economy affected deeply ethnic groups and the nations surrounding both countries.
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