Many of the contributors to this Blog are involved in delivering the MSc in Nationalism Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Our students also use the Blog to stimulate discussion in students-led parts of our core courses.
About our programme:
“The world around us is changing at a tremendous pace, and nationalism is central to those changes. National identities, ideologies and interests give shape to current economic and environmental crises, to diverse religious and ethnic conflicts, to the development of democracies and dictatorships, and to quests for cultural achievement and recognition.
Nationalism is implicated in social conflict and chauvinism, but also in constructive efforts at meaningful collective self-determination. Whether it is experienced as part of the common sense of everyday life, or as a heightened form of feeling and belief, it is almost inescapable. That is why we think it is imperative to understand it as best we can.
Here at Edinburgh we have a unique perspective on this subject, that helps drive our interest in it. Scotland has its own version of nationalism, that led to the establishment of a Scottish Parliament, reviving national-level democratic institutions. It is a nationalism with deep cultural and historical roots, but one that develops largely through constitutional and civil forms of politics. Yet we know that nationalism engenders conflict and oppression elsewhere in the world. Thus having one kind of nationalism on our doorstep stimulates our comparative thinking, and hopefully will do the same for you if you come to study with us.”
For more information please visit the programme website
