National Liberation

This study of the concept of nationalism traces its origins in the rise of capitalism and the nation state. Among the examples cited are the liberation movements of Asia, the growth of Zionism and nationalist movements in the Russian Empire and the USSR. Harris argues that in today's international economic system, economic liberation can no longer be assumed to be the platform for political freedom, and that as labour forces become more cosmopolitan and migratory the future of political nationalism is uncertain.

Part I Marxism and nationalism: the European origins of the national idea; Marx-Engels - the springtime of nationalism; the heyday of theory. Part II The Russian experience: the Tsar's national minorities; national liberation in practice - the first phase; great Russian chauvinism; Russia and the national question at large; postscript. Part III Asia and national liberation - fragments: the wider world - China; British India - opportunism and imperial power; independent India - a host of dragons without a leader; more dragons - Pakistan and Bangladesh; and yet more - Sri Lanka and Tamil Eelam. Part IV Contradictions: perverse national liberation; national liberation and a world economy - economic nationalism; the past and future of nationalism.