Imagined Communities: Reflections On Origin And Spread Of Nationalism

Book Review on Imagined Communities: Reflections on Origin and Spread of Nationalism Book Title: Anderson, Benedict R. O. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Rev. and Extended ed. London: Verso, 2006. Print. Introduction Nationalism is a peculiar phenomenon. It is interesting and intriguing to find that people all around the world believe themselves to be a part of a community of a nation of whose they are citizens of. The sense of belonging and identity is such that soldiers are willing to sacrifice their lives for this construct. The deep sense of attachment of people is to such a construct is to be explored. In this review I shall summarize the key arguments in Anderson’s book and provide throw light on some of the inadequacies of his argument. Political theorist Benedict Anderson traces the cultural, political and industrial conditions that led to the rise of nationalism. The book illustrates the historical movement and emergence of modern day nationalism and nations. He argues that nationalism is not associated with any political ideology at its core. Anderson’s argument is that nationalism is a form of consciousness. He states that once a
The boundaries of their kingdom were undefined, dynamic and always under contestation. With increase in revolutions, the authority accompanying monarchs started dissolving.
Difference in conception of time: Time in medieval period was conceived as one where there was no clear distinction between present, past, future. Time wasn't understood with respect to the happening of a particular event (Birth of Christ). Modern temporal understanding is that of “Homogenous, empty time”. Modern time is structured, divided and measured in units by calendars and clocks. The homogeneity of time led to the rise of the phenomenon of simultaneity that played an important part in rising national