Book Discussion: Rethinking the End of Empire: Nationalism, State Formation, and Great Power Politics, by Lynn Tesser

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

This roundtable brings together scholars from multiple disciplines to discuss a book that situates modern Central and East European historiography within global history as well as studies of nationalism and state formation. The book brings the now vast body of recent historiography on modern empires to social scientists and historians focused on singular countries/regions to offer a fresh look at why nation-states eventually replaced empires. The book primarily engages the “national indifference approach” to historiography across multiple regions and time periods, and highlights the opportunism surrounding issues of self-determination (whether by major powers or non-state actors) to show how liberation movements may factor into great power politics. By recovering the historical context of multiple pre-independence periods, the book also adds nuance to studies that assume most, if not all, pre-independence unrest was nationalist and separatist, and sheds light on why varied demands for change eventually coalesced around independence in some cases, but not others. While the bulk of the book discusses the Balkans, Anatolia, and Central and Eastern Europe, additional chapters cover the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Sub Unit

• International Relations, Security Studies, Foreign Policy

Chair

• Richard Smith, Clements Center for National Security

Roundtable Members

• Keith S. Brown, Arizona State U

• John D Deak, U of Notre Dame

• Lynn M. Tesser, Marine Corps U

• Larry Wolff, New York U