A cross-disciplinary and methodologically innovative study, this volume combines historical macro-sociology and the sociology of emotions with historical anthropology and cultural studies. The authors' argument is based on an analysis of literary sources, mainly novels and plays, applying a sociology of literature approach. By employing and analyzing empirical details of individual cases and texts, the authors reach a clearer understanding of seemingly intangible and irrational aspects of national identity.

Helmut Kuzmics is Professor of Sociology at the University of Graz, Austria. Roland Axtmann is Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Wales, Swansea, UK.

Contents: General Editor's preface; Introduction; The formation of the English state and the sociogenesis of political authority; The formation of the Austrian state and the sociogenesis of political authority; Feudal patrimonialism and ecclesiastical coercion of conscience in Austria; Feudal paternalism in England: developments within the gentleman canon; The courtly element in the Austrian character: authority, pretence and servility; Proud detachment as an element of English authority relationships: 'indirect rule'; Bureaucratization as an Austrian civilizing process; Puritanism, book-keeping and the moralization of authority in the English habitus; Bibliography; Index.