The New Nationalism in America and Beyond

This book is an effective introduction to nationalism, and the writing is accessible to upper-level undergraduates. The authors' analysis provides compelling evidence that ethnic nationalism is an international phenomenon and its powerful reassertion is attributable to factors beyond any single individual's control. * Choice *
This innovative study by Schertzer and Woods shows the power of ethnic nationalism through the tweets of Trump, Le Pen and the Brexit campaigns. It shows how ethnic nationalism is defining feature in the US, Britain and France, conventionally associated with a more civic understanding of nationalism. It also helps the reader to understand their success in a larger historical context and comparative perspective that moves beyond the prevailing focus on populism. * Florian Bieber, Professor of Southeast European History and Politics, University of Graz, Austria *
What if Trump's version of America is who "we" are?' With this intriguing question, this timely book captivates the reader from the very first page. To answer it, the authors explore the possibility of a deeply rooted ethnic nationalism in some of the world's most liberal and prosperous democracies. In doing so, they offer a systematic- and compelling- analysis of how historically constituted conceptions of ethnic identity are used today in the US and elsewhere in the West. A valuable resource for anyone interested in how ethnicity and culture impact on contemporary politics, and why the 'new nationalism' has become so successful. * Daphne Halikiopoulou, Professor of Comparative Politics University of Reading *
Timely and insightful, Schertzer and Woods fundamentally remind us that nations are not only political but also cultural projects, rooted in repertoires of myths and symbols that ethnic majorities seek to defend against perceived existential threats. This rigorous, thoughtful examination of the rise of ethnic nationalism in the West adeptly anchors the political mobilization of white majorities in the defensive postures that define them while simultaneously explaining the broader historical and cultural contexts that are so often missing from contemporary analyses. An exceptional read! * Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Professor, School of Public Affairs and School of Education, American University *