Symbols of Defeat in the Construction of National Identity

If nationalism is the assertion of legitimacy for a nation and its effectiveness as a political entity, why do many nations emphasize images of their own defeat in understanding their history? Using Israel, Serbia, France, Greece, and Ghana as examples, the author argues that this phenomenon exposes the ambivalence that lurks behind the passions nationalism evokes. Symbols of defeat glorify a nation's ancient past, while reenacting the destruction of that past as a necessary step in constructing a functioning modern society. As a result, these symbols often assume a foundational role in national mythology. Threats to such symbols are perceived as threats to the nation itself and consequently are met with desperation difficult for outsiders to understand. Cover......Page 1 Symbols of Defeat in the Construction of National Identity......Page 3 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Acknowledgments......Page 9 Introduction......Page 11 Modernism and Ernest Gellner......Page 23 The Limits of Modernism......Page 28 Ethnosymbolism and Anthony Smith......Page 33 The Limits of Ethnosymbolism......Page 37 Symbols of Defeat: Authenticity and Modernity......Page 41 The Nation as a Surrogate Religion......Page 54 2 Totem Sacrifice and National Identity......Page 60 Totem Violence and Social Order......Page 61 The Function of Sacrificial Ritual and Myth......Page 72 Religion, Nation, and State......Page 78 Theories of Nations and Nationalism Revisited......Page 84 Symbols of Defeat and National Totem Sacrifice......Page 92 3 Symbols of Defeat in National Monument and Ritual......Page 102 Focal Points in National History......Page 110 “Axis natio”......Page 115 Israel: The Temple and the Western Wall......Page 132 Ghana: The Golden Stool and Yaa Asantewaa......Page 144 Unity, Diversity, and Contestation......Page 152 4 The Defeat Narrative in National Myth and Symbol......Page 165 The Kosovo Covenant......Page 167 The Savior......Page 172 The Prince's Supper......Page 181 The Hero......Page 183 The National Eschatology......Page 194 The Sacred Executioner......Page 203 The National Theodicy and the Not-So-Golden Age......Page 211 The Traitor......Page 225 “Without death there is no resurrection”......Page 233 Defending the Totem: Defeat Monuments as Axis Points......Page 242 Heroes and Saviors and the Autocratic Democrat: The Career of Slobodan Milošević......Page 252 Enemies and Traitors: Defining Insider–Outsider Boundaries......Page 264 6 Exceptions......Page 270 Imperial Nations......Page 271 Nations Without States......Page 277 Conclusions......Page 285 Bibliography......Page 293 Index......Page 303 This Is The First Book To Camparatively Examine Nations That Emphasize Images Of Their Own Defeat In Their Mythology And Sense Of History. Cases Include Serbia, Israel, France, Greece And Ghana. Through Exploring This Phenomenon, It Offers New Insights Into Current Theories In The Study Of Nations And Nationalism, Incorporating Approaches From Diverse Disciplines Such As Sociology, Antropology And The Psychology Of Religion-- Theories Of Nations And Nationalism -- Totem Sacrifice And National Identity -- Symbols Of Defeat In National Monument And Ritual -- The Defeat Narrative In National Myth And Symbol -- Implications To Politics And Diplomacy -- Exceptions. Steven J. Mock. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "THis is the first book to camparatively examine nations that emphasize images of their own defeat in their mythology and sense of history. Cases include Serbia, Israel, France, Greece and Ghana. Through exploring this phenomenon, it offers new insights into current theories in the study of nations and nationalism, incorporating approaches from diverse disciplines such as sociology, anthropology and the psychology of religion"-- Provided by publisher This book is a comparative study of nations that emphasize images of their own defeat in their country's mythology and sense of history. The author uses examples from Israel, Serbia, France, Greece and Ghana to explore this phenomenon, offering insights on current theories of nations and nationalism. Explains why nations elevate images of their own defeat to the center of their symbolism and understanding of their history