An interesting, engaging, and timely book. It has only gained greater relevance, given ongoing politic events in the US, UK, and elsewhere around the world. I've been reading Judis's work for years, and this is another good, short book. Recommended.

One of my Junior Theme research students recently saw John B. Judis (The Populist Explosion) speak at Northwestern University about his new book, THE NATIONALIST REVIVAL which focuses "on Trade, Immigration, and the Revolt Against Globalization." Judis advocates for greater efforts at understanding and cooperation as he writes of "cosmopolitans" and "nationalists," also referring to Goodhart's analysis of Anywheres and Somewheres. However, Judis argues that nationalist sentiment is "an essential ingredient of a democracy" and contends that "politicians, parties and policymakers who simply discount these [nationalist] sentiments, or who identify them solely with right wing excesses – as many in the United States and Europe have done – are likely to encourage exactly the kind of nationalism they might have wanted to avoid." Achieving positive reviews across the political spectrum, Judis strives to "identify and reclaim what is valid in nationalism – and of the liberal internationalism of the post-World War II generation – from both the cosmopolitan liberals who believe in a borderless world and from the right wing populists who have coupled a concern for their nation's worker’s with nativist screeds against outgroups and immigrants." A thoughtful, balanced analysis worth reading.

A bit dry but interesting and well researched. Judis made connections between things that left me heavy with thought afterward which is what a good book should do.

Veteran journalist John B. Judis examines the forces of nationalism -- where it came from, where it is today, where it might be going, and the pros and cons of it.

Coming in at 128 pages (according to Amazon’s print stats), there’s a lot packed into this tiny book. Part historical, part psychological, part political, part economic, Judis’ multifaceted examination of his topic is written in a comfortable-to-read voice, bringing together what seems like a hodgepodge of ideas, a diverse range of historical occurrences, and a sprawling international canvas to create a broad-ranging discussion. Though there is considerable focus on the US, he also explores nationalism in the UK, Europe, Western Europe, and Asia. At times the book seems rambling, almost scattered, as the author moves from one facet of his exploration to another, from one country to another, but as a whole the book is both illuminating and informative.

Pleasantly, given that so many political books these days are so polarized, Judis focuses on the circumstances and facts he conveys instead of using his book to make an argument for or against the nationalist movements in the world today, though he does have some recommendations and thoughts he shares with the reader. I enjoyed reading the book quite and bit, and do feel I learned a lot from it. I’d definitely recommend the book to anyone who wants to understand nationalism and the various nationalist movements more fully.

In the last decade, also due to the explosion of social media, the identity politics are more visible and vocal than ever. But was it any different or it is only the power of the media which outlines the rapid and sometimes aggressive changes focused on the national redesigned and reinterpreted values and the exclusion of the other? He hear and read not with pleasure about Orban Viktor and the German AfD, but at what extent it is possible to separate the new from the old nationalist elements from the public discourse?

I personally think that there are always some old layers of mentality concept which lay the basis for new interpretations and evaluations, which are circumstantial and possibly in a decade or two becoming the basis for a new conceptual shift. I avoid to hurry up and say if it is good or not to have such identity politics present into the public discourse, but there are obviously some clear limits about what the public discourse should reject as part of the identity politics. For instance, the insistence of AfD politicians in minimizing the Holocaust or the increasing presence of statues of the pro-Nazi Admiral Horthy during the repeated governments headed by Orban Viktor shall be definitely rejected.

John B. Judis is relatively rapidly overviewing the last century of nationalism and the relative failures of creating and enforcing of a European identity which goes beyond the economic and social advantages as well as the current populist outburst in the time of Trump's America. One of the conclusions is that the revival of nationalism is a move forward from the 'illusions and excesses of globalization'. In his opinion, the 'challenge that will determine the future over the reminder of this century' is a 'new international order' that 'acknowledges and doesn't sidestep or discount historic nationalist sentiments'.

At a certain extent, it is an easy to reach conclusion because, obviously, nationalism is alive and kicking all over the world, but not necessarily as a reaction to globalization. The Russian nationalism always had a global approach, for instance, and elements of the Polish nationalist discourse reiterates elements which historically are at least 2 centuries old. The Austrian nationalism deserves a study in itself and was completely ignored by the author. The Scottish nationalism - also not mentioned - is going through a new stage, with a European - global - approach a couple of steps ahead of the isolationist Brexit mindset.

The book uses a minimal theoretical apparatus and is jumping too fast to the conclusion, which is nevertheless vague and non-involving.

I completely agree that there is necessary a most serious consideration of the nationalist/identity policies, including a revision of the theoretical approach, but it should be done with more consideration for details and elaborated explanations. Otherwise, I am completely interested to figure out more discussions and details both based on events and elaborated new and old theories.

In The Psychology of Nationalism, psychologist Joshua Searle-White sums up the appeal of nationalism: “Nationalism provides us with a way… to feel moral, right, and just. It gives us a way to join with others in a heroic struggle. It gives a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives, and even to our deaths.”

The nationalist revival breaks down the political and economical atmosphere around the world and the revival of nationalism, Covering the immigration crisis of Europe and the United states, recession, war, foreign trade, and the historical events leading up to the uprising of politicians like Donald Trump. John B Kudos provides great sources for all topics discussed and uses clear examples without being overbearing and repetitive. The Nationalist Revival seems unbiased in its discussion and avoids one sided "political ranting", which is an added bonus.

A nice sequel to Judis' 2016 book "The Populist Explosion: How the Great Recession Transformed American and European Politics". I would recommend any prospective readers to read the books in the order of publication date. Although the 2016 book is more ambitious in my opinion, this small book on the rise of nationalism throughout the Western world is also enjoyable to read, which owes much to Judis' engaging style of writing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the lore of contemporary history, politics and even to a material extent, in literature, one of the most used and abused clichés is the one associated with the tenet of ‘nationalism’. Clothed in aggression, suggestive of a seething mode of activism and couched with anarchic undertones, the word nationalism is often succeeded by aggressive companions such as fervor, vigour, passion, pride and a whole horde of other similar sounding accoutrements.
What triggered this peculiar juxtaposition of nationalism with its attendant rigidities and notions? Is a new breed of nationalism unraveling its powerful roots and wielding its sweeping influence upon an unsuspecting new world seamlessly bound together by the forces of globalization and socio-political integration? These are exactly some of the questions which John B. Judis addresses in an unbiased and practical manner in his latest book, “The Nationalist Revival” (“the book”).
Although tracing the contours of the very concept of nationalism with a view to distinguish the word as it was espoused at its origin, from the morphed version that stares us in the eye today, the book can by no means be construed to be a treatise on the subject. It is more an informed dissection of the direction nationalism has taken and the divergent paths that it has traversed, than an academic bone dry dissection of the very term. This is the single most important element that makes the book so readable and thought provoking. Asserting that “national identity I not just a product of where a person is born or emigrated to, but of deeply held sentiments that are usually acquired during childhood”, Mr. Judis traces the psychology of nationalism that had the entire population chocked in a vice like grip resulting ultimately, in two World Wars of monumental and tragic proportions. It was to curb and contain this very breed of ‘fascist’ nationalism that the world came together post the World Wars to develop institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”), the World Bank, NATO and such other likes. The vision of Spinelli and Monnet, universally regarded to be the founding fathers of the European Union had at its core this philosophy:
To avoid of “the recurrence of another world war, the European nations would have to cede their sovereignty to a supra national federation. Nationalism was inherently toxic”.
However, just when it seemed that this toxic genre of nationalism which was the very scourge of humanity was finally eradicated, it has resurrected and this time the revival is much deadlier and dangerous than what could have been envisaged by the prophets of doom. This mutant form of nationalism has found its métier in the Brexit of The United Kingdom Independent Party; the blatant racial prerogatives of Donald Trump in the USA; the exhortations of Marine Le Pen in France and the inclusive polices of Victor Orban in Hungary. So what is it that has manifested this unruly and vituperative shape of nationalism that has for a hear a narrow minded narrative and for a spine, repressive ideologies? What has happened so abruptly so as to leave the visions of Spinelli and Monnet in tatters? Citing various economic, social and geopolitical factors, Mr. Judis unearths the various trigger points and causes leading to the undesirable consequences that lay spread before us.
From following disparate and discriminating economic policies in the Eurozone whose consequences as brilliantly described by economic sociologist Wolfgang Streek, is that, “qualitative horizontal diversity is transformed into a quantitative vertical inequality”, this fuels nationalism of an aggressive albeit logical vein in the demand starved countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy. Merciless imposition of austerity leads to a manifold increase in the sentiments of nationality.
Similarly, divergent and uninformed beliefs regarding the policies of immigration stoke passions that are communal and polarize extreme advocates right down the middle. As Mr.Judis points out, post the publication of the controversial book titled “Germany Abolishes Itself” by a banking official and member of the Social Democrats in Germany, Thilo Sarrazin, the outlook on Germany’s benevolent policy of opening the gates to refugees flocking towards Europe from the Middle East and Asia, underwent a volte face. The ultra-nationalist party Alternative fur Deutschland, which was formed in 2013 became the official opposition party in Parliament, possessing the entitlement to chair the powerful Budget Committee, following the September 2017 National Elections.
Similar is the case with the rabid immigration and tariff outlook that is the inimitable prerogative of the irascible Donald Trump. Taking advantage of a disenchanted blue collared segment, hung out to fry following a massive loss of unemployment and a savage Recession the likes of which was last seen in the Great Depression of 1929, Trump evoked a sense of rampant nationalism in the “Rust Belts” which saw him sweep to power in a ludicrous 2016 Presidential election that was marred by controversies and tarnished by seedy campaigns. These alarming signs that have materialized uniformly across the globe are, as per Mr. Judis, representative of what the great psychologist Sigmund Freud called “the return of the repressed”. Mr. Judis, paraphrasing Freud states, “this occurs when instinctual impulses – or in this case very ordinary nationalist sentiments – are completely blocked from expression because of their association with aberrant, ugly desires, only to return in their most primitive, brutal form”.
The advocates of nationalism justify their belief in the concept with an element of pride and prejudice, with a sense of delight and disenchantment and in the anticipation of both delight and dread. This paradoxical tug and pull of nationalism treads a very delicate tightrope. Even a tiny slip up is sufficient to bring about a catastrophe whose unintended consequences may well be unimaginable. And it is this very consequence that Mr. Judis warns us about in his illuminating book.

Meanwhile, after successfully provoking a vitriolic form of nationalism following his public appearance in the company of Turkish Prime Minister, Raycip Erdogan, World Cup winning German midfielder Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from international football, citing disbelief and expressing outrage at allegations of misplaced patriotism and misconstrued intentions!