Strategic Uses of Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict: Interest and Identity in Russia and the Post-Soviet Space

Abstract

Omtalen tar for seg boken Strategic Uses of Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict: Interest and Identity in Russia and the Post-Soviet Space av Pål Kolstø som undersøker nasjonalismens dynamikk i Russland og de post-sovjetiske landene. Boken demonstrerer at mobilisering rundt nasjonalisme ofte er motivert av en kombinasjon av pragmatiske interesser og følelsesladet symbolikk. This review presents a short discussion of the book Strategic Uses of Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict: Interest and Identity in Russia and the Post-Soviet Space by Pål Kolstø who examines dynamics of nationalism in Russia and countries that formerly belonged to the Soviet Union. The book demonstrates that nationalistic rallying often combines pragmatic motivations and interests with emotionally charged symbolism.