Called unto Liberty: On Language and Nationalism

by Colin H. Williams

The implications of language-related conflict and of nationalist mobilisation have become a widespread concern in the contemporary world. Increasingly the established nation-state is being challenged by interest groups who feel themselves simultaneously threatened by, and underrepresented in, the modern world system. This volume seeks to examine these tensions and analyses the appeal of national liberty for people whose national culture is itself challenged by structural and political changes in the global economy. After evaluating various theories of nationalism and cultural identity the volume provides a detailed examination of the manner in which language and nationalist political activity have interrelated in Wales and Quebec and seeks to offer a set of scenarios as to how such interests are to be satisfied in the future, with its emphasis on applied public policy and social planning. This challenging book will appeal to social scientists and geographers who are concerned with ethnic and minority relations and the ensuing nature of the modern state in advanced industrial societies.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994