The rise of nationalism of 'small nations'_p. II

20.11.2015

Krzysztof Lalik

The rise of nationalism of ‘small nations’: Europe and Ottoman Empire_part II

There are many ethnic and national theories attempting to explain emergence of modern nations and national states. Obviously, the best known in Europe are theories coined out in the West and concerning principally events unfolded in the past centuries in Europe and America focusing on historical, political, social, economic, religious or cultural developments. However, even for richly documented history of European nations and states it’s is hard to find one comprehensive, holistic and interdisciplinary theory that would satisfy adherents of most of national concepts. Similarly, one need not be surprised to find also that the concepts that can help us to understand origins of European nations not necessarily fit to current and past reality of nations of civilizations different from the western living in other parts of the world e.g. the Middle East. Things get more complicated when we want to elucidate origins of so called ‘small’ nations (by contrast to ‘state nations’), rise of national movements among ethnic minorities and processes that led or helped these events to occur.

In next seminar I will continue presentation of famous concepts on nationalism of selected scholars: Benedict Anderson, Anthony Smith and Miroslav Hroch. Since they represent different scientific divisions this might be a good opportunity to compare views of sociologist, political scientist and historian on the same issue. Especially, Hroch’s opinions on development of national movements under Ottoman Empire may cast a new light on nationalism sentiments and activity of Christian ethnic minorities under the Sublime Porte.