National Identity and Partisan Polarization

There is no doubt this is a hugely important book. In the current era, there is an urgent need to understand better why a feeling of national identity seems such a powerful attitude. This volume brings everything together to arrive at this understanding. It offers the accumulation of a lifetime of profound scholarly work. The combination of historical evidence and a profound knowledge of data and statistical analysis is more than impressive. This book brings also a powerful moral message: it demonstrates how important education, and the universal access to education are. The evidence, assembled in this volume is just overwhelming and conclusive; and it sheds new light on current debates. Uslaner shows in this volume what political science can do, based on rigorous methods, and how this work can lead to a more just society. Maybe that is the most important contribution political science has to offer. * Marc Hooghe, University of Leuven (Belgium) *
This volume is an important book on an important topic. Employing data from ten widely different cultures, it nails down the significance of national identity throughout the globe. Besides political scientists, this book should also be of great interest to sociologists and social psychologists. * Thomas F. Pettigrew, University of California, Santa Cruz *
In National Identity and Partisan Polarization, Uslaner presents an array of empirical data showing how the partisan divisions in modern democracies have shifted from economic issues to questions of national identity, and how democracies differ in their willingness to treat diverse populations inclusively. This book is critical in understanding the nature of today's politics, from a top scholar in the field. * Francis Fukuyama, Stanford University *
At a time when nationalistic political parties are experiencing an upsurge in many countries, this is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the meanings and variations among national identities. I am especially impressed with the book's fair and balanced treatment as well as the extensive research that underlies this important comparative inquiry. * Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University *
This is an excellent book, providing a fascinating account of some of the most important questions of our time. Uslaner, a leading social capital theorist, scrutinizes the increasing political significance of national identity. * Nils Holtug, University of Copenhagen *
This is a singular study of inflamed politics. It is exceptional in scope, covering ten counties in all, drawing on a massive number of public opinion surveys and voting studies. And it floodlights a climactic dimension of contemporary political polarization—the electoral battle between political parties committed to opposing conceptions of national identity. * Paul Sniderman, Stanford University *
The relationship between national identity and politics is one of the most pressing issues in current politics. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the current political situation in Western countries. * Bo Rothstein, University of Gothenburg *
Understanding the interplay between national identity and political polarisation is a central issue of our age, and Eric Uslaner handles it with depth and subtlety. Ranging across ten countries, this book brings together a rich understanding of history and a deep dive into the data. If you've ever wondered why nations have different answers to the question 'who is a true member of our society?', then this book is a must-read. * Andrew Leigh, Parliament of Australia *
If you want to understand why politics has become increasingly and dangerously polarized, Ric Uslaner's new book provides important insights. As Uslaner explains, people with an "exclusive" national identity often perceive grave threats from "outsiders," which has unleashed challenging political forces. Donald Trump is one manifestation of national identity politics, but there are many others around the world. Uslaner makes clear that national identity and perceived threats to it play a critical role in our current predicament. That not every country's politics has been as consumed by tribalism provides some hope for better management of these forces. * David Madland, Center for American Progress, and author of Re-Union *
Eric Uslaner did it again. One of the most prolific political scientists of our generation, has deciphered the link between national identity and political polarization in a wide-ranging study that includes ten different countries. Beyond being a gifted scholar, Uslaner has earned a reputation for his phenomenal writing ability, which he demonstrates in the book. Like its predecessors, this book will soon become one of the pillars of contemporary comparative political research. * Ami Pedahzur, The University of Texas at Austin *
This book creatively explores the sources of political polarization across ten countries and over various time periods. It is a fine example of scholarship that zeroes in on the effects of diversifying societies on political outcomes. Based on a wealth of data sources and via sophisticated data analysis this book reveals that the determinants of polarization are found in the type of national identity electorates possess, rather than in the countries' institutional variation as oftentimes claimed. Guided by the idea as to who counts as a 'true member of society,' the book powerfully demonstrates the importance of being moored to a sense of belonging, community, and identity in shaping people's political choices. * Markus M. L. Crepaz, University of Georgia *
At a time when researchers talk about a dispersed identity when borders are disappearing, and citizens try to belong to many, often difficult to define, places, Eric M. Uslaner's book National Identity and Partisan Polarization is indispensable reading. It shows the processes of redefining national identities and using political identities in political communication. Comparing the indicated approaches in different countries increases the book's value, showing the role of specific factors. * Agnieszka Turska-Kawa, University of Silesia in Katowice *