In Nationalism: History and Theory Lawrence explores the massive changes that have taken place in the way in which individuals have sought to define, categorise and explain the phenomena of nationalism and nations.

The book traces the historiography of general theories of Nationalism in order to consider why the issue has proved so enduring. It explores why concepts of nations and nationalism have proved so intangible, why so many conflicting theories have been advanced and why the debate continues to this day.

A concise, accessible analysis of a complex field, this book is suitable for undergraduate courses in nationalism, history theory and modern European history.

Paul Lawrence is Lecturer in History with the Open University. He has taught a range of courses and has published on inter-war France, nationalism and issues of crime and policing.

1. Introduction: definitions and debates. 2. Early theoretical debates, 1848-1914. 3. Interwar debates, 1918-39. 4. The origins of 'classical modernism', 1945-69. 5. The rise and fall of 'Classical Modernism', 1970-2003. 6. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.