Conclusion

Abstract

Over the course of the past half century, nationalism studies have undergone numerous upheavals. The first chapter outlined some of the fluctuating theoretical trends in the field. There has also been a willingness to expand the geographic parameters of earlier studies. Many of the works on this topic published in the aftermath of World War II focused on nationalism in developing countries—the societies suffering the growing pains of modernization and decolonization. Much of the scholarship from that era assumed that nationalism was associated with disgruntled minority groups challenging the central state. Such a perception is understandable. After all, many regimes justify their policies in ethnic-neutral terms. Their rhetoric, nevertheless, should not dissuade us from examining them as any other case. This book will conclude by looking at one last example of nationalism that could easily have been overlooked. It points out that nationalism is alive and well, even in technologically advanced societies. George W. Bush’s mid-September 2001 speech delivered at the vestiges of the World Trade Center highlights many of the classic elements employed in an attempt to mobilize nationalist collective action.