This paper discuses the theory of nationalism in building modern nation-states. The main thesis is explanatory which is defended on theoretical grounds and by referencing two Central Asian case studies: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In particular, the paper was influenced by Benedict Anderson's depiction of the sovereign nation-state as a model available for 'pirating'. This analogy was broadened and it is argued that piracy is a valuable way to illustrate the character of national projects as well as the particularities of specific projects. The pirating of nationalism emphasizes its malleability and dependence on those who have the means and will to develop it. Although invention in social organization is not particularly unusual, the unique and capacious force of nationalism to structure identity and meaning in society has generated an ideology of political legitimacy and sovereignty of global consequence.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.83149 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Sitorius, Michelle L. |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Arts (Department of Political Science.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 002226950, proquestno: AAIMR12767, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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