Nationalism has re-emerged as one of the fundamental forces shaping world society today. But how do current forms of nationalism relate to nationalistic currents which developed in earlier phases of modern history? What distinctive types of nationalist sentiment and practice can be distinguished? How should we explain the enduring appeal of nationalism? In answering these and other questions, Guibernau offers a novel and forceful account of the nature of modern nationalism.

Nationalism was for a long while a neglected topic within the social sciences. This book examines why the classical social theorists gave so little attention to nationalism, as well as considering the main theories of nationalism which have been developed in the current century. The author analyses the political character of nationalism and its connections to the nation-state. Distinctive features of the work, however, are its emphases upon nationalism as a source of identity, the impact of globalization upon nationalist movements today and the role of "nations without states".

The volume is addressed to a wide range of readers in the field of social and political sciences. It will be of particular interest to undergraduates and others working in the areas of sociology, international relations and political science.