This book discusses the justifications and limits of cultural nationalism from a liberal perspective. Chaim Gans presents a normative typology of nationalist ideologies, distinguishing between cultural liberal nationalism and statist liberal nationalism. Statist nationalisms argue that states have an interest in the cultural homogeneity of their citizenries. Cultural nationalisms argue that people have interests in adhering to their cultures (the adherence thesis) and in sustaining these cultures for generations (the historic thesis). Gans argues that freedom- and identity-based justifications for cultural nationalism common in literature can only support the adherence thesis, while the historical thesis could only be justified by the interest people have in the long-term endurance of their personal and group endeavors. The Limits of Nationalism examines demands often made in the name of cultural nationalism, such as claims for national self-determination, historical rights claims to territories and demands entailed by cultural particularism as opposed to cultural cosmopolitanism.

A radical new perspective on the demands made in the name of cultural nationalism.

About the Author
CHAIM GANS is Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University, Israel.

Reviews
'The Limits of Nationalism contains stimulating ideas on some of the normative challenges posed by nationalism.' Nations and Nationalism
'A great strength of The Limits of Nationalism is the conceptual clarity of Gans' discussion. He makes a series of enlightening analytical distinctions that contribute to existing debates as well as creating the space for his own particular version of liberal nationalism.' Contemporary Political Theory
'... ranks among the best recent works of liberal nationalist philosophy.' Ethnic & Racial Studies



Book Information
ISBN 9780521808644
Author Chaim Gans
Format Hardback
Page Count 202
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 449g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 158mm * 19mm