Nationalism in France: Class and Nation Since 1789

First published in 1990, Nationalism in France (now with a new preface by the author) is a concise history of the post-revolutionary period in France and provides at the same time an original study of the evolution of French Nationalism since 1789.

Brian Jenkins argues that French nationalism can be understood only in the context of class antagonism, and that the nationalisms of left and right have profoundly different social and ideological foundations. Acknowledging the Revolution as the birthplace of the democratic nation state, Jenkins investigates the concepts of nation and class, showing how they are often transformed by the changing social and political context of two centuries of history. He analyses the significant historical events since the French Revolution from the perspective of the growth of the concept of nationhood and national identity. His controversial analysis raises issues of contemporary relevance, such as the debate on the legacy of the French Revolution, the renewed interest in the diversity and viability of the modern nation state and nationalist ideology, and the controversy about the future of radical left-wing politics.

This book will be of particular interest to students and researchers of French history and political science.

Brian Jenkins is a retired academic who was formerly Professor of French Area Studies at University of Portsmouth (1981-2001) and subsequently Senior Research Fellow in French Studies at University of Leeds (2001-9). His research interests include French history and politics, the theory and history of nationalism, and the French extreme Right between the wars.