Nationalism and National identity: the Portuguese case in a comparative perspective
Nationalism and National identity: the Portuguese case in a comparative perspective
a) to carry out an historical survey of the dynamics that underlie the structuring of national identification in Portugal and to examine their role for nationalist doctrines and practices
b) to contribute to widen the study of these phenomena, given the relevance of the Portuguese case, as Portugal is not only one of the European countries that firstly constituted itself as an independent political entity, but also did not come to know the form of a mulltinational state, very common in other cases
The researches carried out to achieve these goals take into account two dimensions, a theoretical and an empirical dimension. Each dimension is more or less accentuated given the specific nature of each research. The researches included in this project are the following ones:
1. The study of the main theoretical perspectives and the basis of nationalism; primordialists, perenialists, modernists, ethno-symbolims, etc. Research regarding the theoretical concepts involved. Case studies regarding the history of nation formation and nationalism that might provide a comparative context to the Portuguese case.
2. The empirical study of the process of Portuguese national identity formation, with the purpose of providing a first summaty that addresses what happened in the medieval period, where, according to some analytical perspectives, national identity emerges in the absence of nationalism ideologies, until the contemporary period, marked by their apogee.
3. Studies on representations of Portuguese national identity, such as the ethno-racial representation of Portugal elaborated in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the description of the so called Portuguese "national character" in the same period.
4. Research on production and reproduction practices of national identity, namely those regarding the articulation between national identity and everyday life practices ("common nationalism" or "ordinary nationalism")
Current situation and results
Presently, the study on the theories of nationalism (point 1), which absorbed a great amount of the time invested in the project, is concluded. A systematic analysis of these theories was carried out, starting from the classical authors that began their publications before even World War II and finishing with the contemporary ones. A permanent update is being carried out regarding the state of the art on the theories of nationalism. Concerning the case studies, there has been a focus on the immediate relational context of the Portuguese state (Western Europe), without neglecting the importance of a comparison and contrast perspective with cases geographically situated outside of this area and the European continent.
Regarding the study on the process of Portuguese national identity formation (point 2), it is possible to provide a schematic approach of its main phases, as well as some specific issues raised by its interpretation.
Concerning the ethno-racial representations of the Portuguese identity and the definitions of the so called "national character" (point 3), a detailed and comparative analysis was carried out regarding the last two centuries, where they have gained special relevance, mainly regarding the North/South division.
Finally, in relation to the production and reproduction practices of national identity (point 4), attention has been given to the concept of a national cuisine in Portugal and its political, cultural and social meanings. Both these researches, as the previous ones, were carried out within an historical and comparative perspective.
Researches within the scope of this project continue to be carried out, mainly regarding points 2 and 3. The results have been regularly presented in national and international conferences and meetings presentations, and in articles published in scientific journals and book chapters. The research coordinator is currently finishing a book where these are included, as well as unpublished work.
National Identity, Nationalism, Nation
a) to carry out an historical survey of the dynamics that underlie the structuring of national identification in Portugal and to examine their role for nationalist doctrines and practices
b) to contribute to widen the study of these phenomena, given the relevance of the Portuguese case, as Portugal is not only one of the European countries that firstly constituted itself as an independent political entity, but also did not come to know the form of a mulltinational state, very common in other cases
The researches carried out to achieve these goals take into account two dimensions, a theoretical and an empirical dimension. Each dimension is more or less accentuated given the specific nature of each research. The researches included in this project are the following ones:
1. The study of the main theoretical perspectives and the basis of nationalism; primordialists, perenialists, modernists, ethno-symbolims, etc. Research regarding the theoretical concepts involved. Case studies regarding the history of nation formation and nationalism that might provide a comparative context to the Portuguese case.
2. The empirical study of the process of Portuguese national identity formation, with the purpose of providing a first summaty that addresses what happened in the medieval period, where, according to some analytical perspectives, national identity emerges in the absence of nationalism ideologies, until the contemporary period, marked by their apogee.
3. Studies on representations of Portuguese national identity, such as the ethno-racial representation of Portugal elaborated in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the description of the so called Portuguese "national character" in the same period.
4. Research on production and reproduction practices of national identity, namely those regarding the articulation between national identity and everyday life practices ("common nationalism" or "ordinary nationalism")
Current situation and results
Presently, the study on the theories of nationalism (point 1), which absorbed a great amount of the time invested in the project, is concluded. A systematic analysis of these theories was carried out, starting from the classical authors that began their publications before even World War II and finishing with the contemporary ones. A permanent update is being carried out regarding the state of the art on the theories of nationalism. Concerning the case studies, there has been a focus on the immediate relational context of the Portuguese state (Western Europe), without neglecting the importance of a comparison and contrast perspective with cases geographically situated outside of this area and the European continent.
Regarding the study on the process of Portuguese national identity formation (point 2), it is possible to provide a schematic approach of its main phases, as well as some specific issues raised by its interpretation.
Concerning the ethno-racial representations of the Portuguese identity and the definitions of the so called "national character" (point 3), a detailed and comparative analysis was carried out regarding the last two centuries, where they have gained special relevance, mainly regarding the North/South division.
Finally, in relation to the production and reproduction practices of national identity (point 4), attention has been given to the concept of a national cuisine in Portugal and its political, cultural and social meanings. Both these researches, as the previous ones, were carried out within an historical and comparative perspective.
Researches within the scope of this project continue to be carried out, mainly regarding points 2 and 3. The results have been regularly presented in national and international conferences and meetings presentations, and in articles published in scientific journals and book chapters. The research coordinator is currently finishing a book where these are included, as well as unpublished work.
