Rocker traces the evolution of religious and political systems and their relation to the authoritarian State on the one hand and to the people on the other; he analyzes the Nation as alleged community of race, of culture, of language, of interest. The book contains a series of cross-sections of European society at successive historical periods and relates them to one another; offering copious illustrations of the literature of every period and country. It is at every point illuminated by the interpretative comment of the author, scholarly, brilliant, poetic, human -- the ripened fruit of thirty years of intensive and devoted study by a man in every way fitted for the task.

Some opinions on the book:

Refers to Rocker as the "last serious political thinker."Noam Chomsky

"An important contribution to political philosophy, both on account of its penetrating and widely informative analysis of many famous writers, and on account of the brilliant criticism of state-worship. I hope it will be widely read in all those countries where disinterested thinking is not yet illegal."Bertrand Russell

"An important contribution to our thought about human society: it is the work not merely of a keen, well-poised mind, but of a deeply humane personality. Rudolf Rocker's wide historical background, his richness of reference, his deep organic humanism give to his thesis far more than the academic qualifications it likewise possesses. Nationalism and Culture, in short, is a book worthy to be placed on the same shelf that holds Candide, The Rights of Man and Mutual Aid."Lewis Mumford

"I find the book extraordinarily original and illuminating. Many facts and relationships are presented in it in a novel and convincing fashion."Albert Einstein

"It is impossible to give an adequate review of a book so dense with facts. I can only state that where I have special knowledge, as in the history of art, I have invariably found these facts correct. I find Rocker tolerant, modest, and aware of the essential values in culture. In one word, I find him infinitely sympathetic."Herbert Read

Table of Contents

Book One

Preface to the English edition

Translator's Preface

The Insufficiency of Economic Materialism

Religion and Politics

The Middle Ages: Church and State

Power Versus Culture

The Rise of the National State

The Reformation and the New State

Absolutism: An Obstacle to Economic Development

The Doctrine of the Social Contract

Liberal Ideas in Europe and America

Liberalism and Democracy

German Philosophy and the State

Democracy and the National State

Romanticism and Nationalism

Socialism and the State

Nationalism: A Political Religion

Book Two

The Nation as Community of Morals, Custom and Interest

The Nation as Community of Language

The Nation in the Light of Modern Race Theories

Political Unity and the Evolution of Culture

Political Decentralization in Greece

Roman Centralization and its Influence

National Unity and the Decline of Culture

The Illusion of a National Culture

The National State and the Development of Science

Architecture and Nationality

Art and the National Spirit

Social Problems of Our Times

Epilogue to the Second American edition

Bibliography

Index

About the author

Rudolf Rocker (1873-1958), figured prominently in the international anarchist movement and contributed to discussions about terrorism, nationalism, pacifism and labour tactics. Highly regarded by friends and contemporaries, his advice was always sought and respected.