Globalization and European integration have not meant the end of nationalism but they have eroded the old nation state. This both encourages the emergence of new nationalist claims, and opens new possibilities for dealing with them. The book looks at nationalism in the global age and at cases in western, central and eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and Quebec.

Globalization and European integration are sometimes seen as the enemies of nationalism, imposing a single economic, cultural, and political order; but, by challenging the 'nation-state' as the sole basis for identity and sovereignty, they open the way for a variety of claims by stateless nations. This book considers these issues from a theoretical perspective, analyzing case studies of stateless nationalism in western, eastern, and central Europe, the former Soviet Union, even Quebec. It presents a variety of experiences to show that while there are no easy answers to conflicting national claims, they can be managed through democratic political processes.

Keating makes a number of important points with regard to the changing nature of the state in an international or regional framework in which the notion of sovereignty has radically changed.