ETHNO-SYMBOLISM AND CLASSICAL MODERNISM IN THE STUDIES OF NATIONALISM
ETHNO-SYMBOLISM AND CLASSICAL MODERNISM IN THE STUDIES OF NATIONALISM

Author(s): Tijana Milošević
Subject(s): Nationalism Studies, Period(s) of Nation Building
Published by: Helsinški odbor za ljudska prava u Srbiji
Keywords: Tijana Milošević; Yugoslavia; nationalism; modernism; ethno-symbolism; creating the nations; ethnic group;
Summary/Abstract: The topic of nationalism attracts a lot of attention, especially in the Balkans, where it is quoted as one of the main causes of war in former Yugoslavia. Among different approaches to the studies of nationalism, the two are dominant – modernism and ethno-symbolism. The description and the analysis of the debate between these two dominant approaches make the subject of this essay. The statements of Ernest Gellner, a representative of modernism, and of his disciple Anthony Smith, a spokesman for ethno-symbolism, are in the focus of discussion. This essay will try to present and compare critically the main points of disagreement between the two approaches, which are: the cause of creating the nations and of the appearance of nationalism, as well as the modality and the timing of their origin. There will also be talk about the relevance of the term ethnic group for comprehending and the origin of the terms nation and nationalism.

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