Networks, Narratives and Nations: Transcultural Approaches to Cultural Nationalism in Modern Europe and Beyond

The idea that national and other group identities are constructed and sustained by narratives and images has been widely postulated for several decades. This volume contributes to this debate, with a particular emphasis on the networked, transnational nature of cultural nation-building processes in a comparative European and sometimes extra-European context. The contributors study transcultural phenomena from the medieval and early modern periods through to the modern and postmodern era, frequently challenging conventional periodizations and analytical frameworks based on the idea of the nation-state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2022
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

The notion that national and other group identities are constructed and sustained by narratives and images has been widely postulated for several decades now. This volume contributes to this debate, with a particular emphasis on the networked, transnational nature of cultural nation-building processes in a comparative European and sometimes extra-European context. It gathers together essays that engage with objects of study ranging from poetry, prose, and political ideas to painting, porcelain, and popular song, and which draw on examples in Icelandic, Arabic, German, Irish, Hungarian, and French, among other languages. The contributors study transcultural phenomena from the medieval and early modern periods through to the modern and postmodern era, frequently challenging conventional periodizations and analytical frameworks based on the idea of the nation-state.

The contributors to this volume explore the complex relationship between narratives and the construction of national and group identities, with a particular focus on the networked, transnational nature of cultural nation-building processes in a comparative European and sometimes extra-European context. The essays in this volume engage with a wide range of objects of study, including poetry, prose, political ideas, painting, porcelain, and popular song, drawing on examples from a diverse array of languages, including Icelandic, Arabic, German, Irish, Hungarian, and French.

The contributors to this volume study transcultural phenomena from the medieval and early modern periods through to the modern and postmodern era, challenging conventional periodizations and analytical frameworks based on the idea of the nation-state. They explore the ways in which narratives and images are used to construct and sustain identities, both within and across cultural boundaries, and the ways in which these processes are shaped by the networks and connections of globalization.

One of the key themes of this volume is the ways in which narratives and images are used to create and reinforce stereotypes and prejudices. The contributors examine how these narratives and images are used to construct and perpetuate notions of race, ethnicity, religion, and gender, and how they contribute to the marginalization and oppression of certain groups. They also explore the ways in which these narratives and images can be challenged and subverted, and how they can be used to promote greater understanding and empathy between different cultures.

Another theme of this volume is the role of the media in shaping narratives and the construction of national and group identities. The contributors examine how the media, including television, radio, newspapers, and social media, are used to promote and perpetuate particular narratives and images, and how they contribute to the formation of public opinion and the shaping of political discourse. They also explore the ways in which media consumers can challenge and subvert these narratives and images, and how they can use media to promote greater cultural diversity and understanding.

In conclusion, this volume contributes to the ongoing debate about the role of narratives and images in the construction of national and group identities. It provides a rich and diverse range of perspectives on the topic

The notion that national and other group identities are constructed and sustained by narratives and images has been widely postulated for several decades now. This volume contributes to this debate, with a particular emphasis on the networked, transnational nature of cultural nation-building processes in a comparative European and sometimes extra-European context. It gathers together essays that engage with objects of study ranging from poetry, prose, and political ideas to painting, porcelain, and popular song, and which draw on examples in Icelandic, Arabic, German, Irish, Hungarian, and French, among other languages. The contributors study transcultural phenomena from the medieval and early modern periods through to the modern and postmodern era, frequently challenging conventional periodizations and analytical frameworks based on the idea of the nation-state.

The contributors to this volume explore the complex relationship between narratives and the construction of national and group identities, with a particular focus on the networked, transnational nature of cultural nation-building processes in a comparative European and sometimes extra-European context. The essays in this volume engage with a wide range of objects of study, including poetry, prose, political ideas, painting, porcelain, and popular song, drawing on examples from a diverse array of languages, including Icelandic, Arabic, German, Irish, Hungarian, and French.

The contributors to this volume study transcultural phenomena from the medieval and early modern periods through to the modern and postmodern era, challenging conventional periodizations and analytical frameworks based on the idea of the nation-state. They explore the ways in which narratives and images are used to construct and sustain identities, both within and across cultural boundaries, and the ways in which these processes are shaped by the networks and connections of globalization.

One of the key themes of this volume is the ways in which narratives and images are used to create and reinforce stereotypes and prejudices. The contributors examine how these narratives and images are used to construct and perpetuate notions of race, ethnicity, religion, and gender, and how they contribute to the marginalization and oppression of certain groups. They also explore the ways in which these narratives and images can be challenged and subverted, and how they can be used to promote greater understanding and empathy between different cultures.

Another theme of this volume is the role of the media in shaping narratives and the construction of national and group identities. The contributors examine how the media, including television, radio, newspapers, and social media, are used to promote and perpetuate particular narratives and images, and how they contribute to the formation of public opinion and the shaping of political discourse. They also explore the ways in which media consumers can challenge and subvert these narratives and images, and how they can use media to promote greater cultural diversity and understanding.

In conclusion, this volume contributes to the ongoing debate about the role of narratives and images in the construction of national and group identities. It provides a rich and diverse range of perspectives on the complex and multifaceted relationship between narratives, identity, and culture, and offers valuable insights into the ways in which these processes are shaped by the networked, transnational nature of contemporary society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463720755