Michal Rozynek 
A Philosophy of Nationhood and the Modern Self 

This book delves into the philosophical presuppositions of modern political agency. Michal Rozynek explores the place of nationalism in an increasingly cosmopolitan world by approaching the fundamental questions of modern subjectivity from a new angle. Taking as a starting point the transformations of the modern self, this volume argues that the project of modernity leads to an unresolvable tension within the self– one which seemingly jeopardizes our ability to participate in a public world. 






Rozynek goes on to show how nationhood can offer a resolution to this tension, building on the pioneering work of Liah Greenfeld. Far from being a defense of tribalism, this book attempts to tackle both the questions of national solidarity and cosmopolitan duties, by problematizing the account of nationalism in contemporary political theory and advocating a revised model of universalism. 

Tabella dei contenuti

1. Introduction

2. Defining ‘the Nation’


3. Nationhood and its Critics


4. The Genealogy of the Modern Self


5. Individual Autonomy and Belonging


6. Why Politics Cannot be Universal


7. Constructing Political Subjectivity: Agency and Nationhood


8. The Ethics of Political Membership: Cosmopolitanism vs Nationalism


9. Self Under Scrutiny: On ‘Post-National’ thought


10. Conclusion: National Humanity

Circa l’autore

Michal Rozynek teaches political thought at the University of Edinburgh, UK