What Comes after the Nation? Possible Scenarios of Postnationalism in Central Eastern Europe (The Case of Lithuania) Cover Image

What Comes after the Nation? Possible Scenarios of Postnationalism in Central Eastern Europe (The Case of Lithuania)
What Comes after the Nation? Possible Scenarios of Postnationalism in Central Eastern Europe (The Case of Lithuania)

Author(s): Virginijus Savukynas
Subject(s): Cultural history
Published by: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
Keywords: the construction of a region; the Grand Duchy of Lithuania; local identities; national identity; nationalism

Summary/Abstract: The article analyses possible transformations of nationalism in contemporary Lithuania. The author argues that two forces influence the national identity. On the one hand, local identities have been strengthening. Currently, an attempt to revive / create a Samogitian identity based on certain political goals is rather visible in Lithuania. On the other hand, an opposite process can also be observed: it is a wish to revive a region corresponding to the boundaries of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The article concludes that due to globalization processes national identity receives pressure both from the “above” and “below”, i.e. alternative identity models are being offered in relation to either local identities or regional identities covering several states.

  • Issue Year: 2008
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 113-123
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: English