This major new work by Professor Anthony D. Smith challenges the notion of nationalism as a product of modernity.Major new work by a leading historical sociologistChallenges the prevailing idea of nationalism as a product of modernityDemonstrates that different political forms of community and collective identity from pre-modern times have contributed to the formation and character of nationsAnalyzes the chronology and nature of nations, from the ancient world, to the European Middle Ages, the early modern, and the modern erasDiscusses alternative destinies facing modern nations today

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 includingThe Ethnic Origins of Nations (Blackwell, 1986),Chosen Peoples: Sacred Sources of National Identity(2003) andThe Antiquity of Nations (2004). He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the journalNations and Nationalism.

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