Understanding Nationalism brings together leading scholars of nationalism, including John Breuilly, Walker Connor, Steven Grosby, Eric Hobsbawm, Anthony D Smith and Pierre van den Berghe, to address one of the most contested questions in the study of nationalism "when is the nation?".

The book compares and contrasts the three major approaches to nationalism: modernism, primordialism and ethno-symbolism, to systematically examine the strengths and weaknesses of each theoretical strand. With an interactive format, readers are able to see how these theorists reflexively respond to their critics and define the differences between them. Part II follows with case studies that address the issues raised by the three schools, examining specific nations and national groups in Greece, America, Fiji, Russia and England.

This unique volume will be an invaluable resource for students and scholars of nationalism, ethnicity and global conflict.