Description: The rise of nationalism in the Balkans is viewed as part of a world-historical process of globalization over the last five centuries. Victor Roudometof delves into Balkan history and reveals how the efforts of Balkan states to achieve national homogenization produced interstate rivalry, forced population exchanges, and discrimination against minority groups. Yet, these problems are not confined to the Balkan states alone - Roudometof's multidimensional analysis of Balkan nationalism throughout history serves as a case study, interrogating the long-held belief in globalization as an instrument to resolve ethnic conflict and bring people together.
Brief description: VICTOR ROUDOMETOF is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Cyprus. He has also held positions with Princeton University, the American College of Thessaloniki (Greece), and Washington and Lee University & Miami University (USA). He is the author or editor of 17 books and edited volumes on culture, religion, nationalism, and globalization. For more information, see www.roudometof.com
Review Quotes:
"Provides a welcome corrective to the stubbornly held view (even in some academic circles) that primordial attachments and 'ancient ethnic hatreds' have shaped much of recent Balkan history ... [a] scintillating conclusion draws the main threads of his thesis together with great lucidity." --Nations and Nationalism
"This book centers on the Balkans, yet uses them as a case study of something much larger-namely, the surprising fact that globalization, instead of melding peoples together, has done exactly the opposite. Roudometof's forte is his ability not only to range widely across various Balkan nationalities but also to make a forest out of his diverse trees. Thus the wealth of data he presents leads to clearly articulated conclusions about globalization's role-paradoxically through its corollary, nationalism-in marginalizing minorities, fostering assimilation, and producing ethnic conflict, which thus cannot be explained merely as a clash of rival religions. The book shows that an understanding of history can truly help us to comprehend current problems in the Balkans and elsewhere." --Peter Bien, Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature, Dartmouth College, USA "Represents an impressive historical contribution in its multi-dimensional approach, incorporating economic, institutional and cultural variables. Greater still is its potential theoretical contribution, a potential which largely rests in the reader's efforts to glean lessons from the rich historical detail offered." --Journal of Southern Europe and Balkans "An excellent book ... His multidimensional approach to the subject is admirable." --Traian Stoianovich, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University, USA "There is a great deal of useful history and information on the Balkan puzzle in the book." --Contemporary Sociology