istoria ideilor
the history of ideas

Summary/Abstract: This essay by Sorin Antohi examines the evolution of the concept of national specificity, from its roots in the romantic palingenetic movement of 1848 to its radical transformation after World War I. Initially discussed within the realms of aesthetics, symbolic geography, and national characterology, the concept of national specificity evolved into a comprehensive ethnic ontology. Antohi traces the intellectual journey from romantic and metaphysical perspectives to the biopolitical and often racist ideologies of the early 20th century. The article highlights the interplay between modernism, antimodernism, and various philosophical and scientific discourses that shaped the understanding of national identity. It also addresses the historical transitions from aesthetic to biopolitical paradigms, examining how national identity was perceived and constructed through various intellectual lenses.

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