Game of Mirrors: Centre-Periphery National Conflicts Routledge Revivals Series

This title was first published in 2000. Nationalism and the national question have represented a problem since the early years of the 19th century. Understanding these phenomena represents a challenge for political science, because "the nation" is not a natural phenomenon, rather it is the consequence of nationalism. Attempts to reduce nationalism to one or several factors have been unsuccessful; it has multiple factors that are variable in space and time. Nationalism is a problem of beliefs and conscience linked to the historical action of nationalist groups. A second difficulty derives from the distinction between nationalism of the dominant and nationalism of the oppressed. The majority of political theorists now believe that these centre and periphery nationalisms are different and therefore adversaries. Using first-hand experience of Basque separatism as a starting point, the author adds to it with the main manifestations of this phenomenon around the world.

Contents: Centre and Periphery: The centre (1): the nation-state; The centre (2): types and origin of nation-states; The periphery: ethnic groups and their mobilisations; Peripheral nationalisms (1): identity and ideology; Peripheral nationalisms (2): organization and international context; Centralist nationalisms; The transformation of the conflict (1): western nationalisms and the welfare state; The transformation of the conflict (2): European construction; Other nationalisms: break up of states, pan-nationalisms, non-territorial and a-national ethnic movements. Nationalism and Violence: Nationalism and political violence: state violence and response violence; Nationalisms and violence: case studies; Peripheral nationalisms and violence (1): identity and ideology; Peripheral nationalisms and violence (2): organization and context; The reaction of the centre: anti-terrorist state nationalisms; Negotiations and the end to violence; Bibliography.

Francisco Letamendia, University of the Basque Country, Spain