The Psychosocial Imaginaries of Defence Nationalism

The Psychosocial Imaginaries of Defence Nationalism interrogates the emergence of far-right nationalist 'defence leagues' in Australia and the UK. Throughout the book, Liam Gillespie refers to these groups as defence nationalists: that is, as nationalists who imagine themselves as defenders of the nation and therefore national subjects par excellence.
Drawing on original research, psychoanalytic and psychosocial theoryand particularly the work of Jacques Lacanthe author explores the narratives, imaginaries and subjectivities that sustain these groups, as well as the narratives, imaginaries and subjectivities these groups sustain. He argues that unlike other nationalist groups, defence nationalists are not primarily concerned with realising their avowed political projects. Instead, they are concerned with constructing and then enjoying themselves as the nation's self-ordained defenders. This means that which threatens the nation can paradoxically have a fortifying effect upon defence nationalists, legitimising and securing both the way they see themselves, and the position they see themselves occupying with/in the nation.
The Psychosocial Imaginaries of Defence Nationalism will be of interest to anyone concerned with critical theorisations of contemporary nationalism, as well as with the application of psychoanalytic and psychosocial theory to social, cultural and political analysis.

Introduces and develops the concept of 'defence nationalism' Presents a comparative psychosocial analysis of far-right nationalist organisations in the UK and Australia Draws on psychoanalytic and psychosocial theory to analyse nationalist appeals to flesh, land and the law as means of legitimising their ideology Argues that defence nationalists are happier and more secure the more that the nation is felt to be under threat

Auteur

Liam Gillespie holds a Ph.D. from the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Texte du rabat

The Psychosocial Imaginaries of Defence Nationalism interrogates the emergence of far-right nationalist 'defence leagues' in Australia and the UK. Throughout the book, Liam Gillespie refers to these groups as defence nationalists: that is, as nationalists who imagine themselves as defenders of the nation and therefore national subjects par excellence. Drawing on original research, psychoanalytic and psychosocial theory and particularly the work of Jacques Lacan the author explores the narratives, imaginaries and subjectivities that sustain these groups, as well as the narratives, imaginaries and subjectivities these groups sustain. He argues that unlike other nationalist groups, defence nationalists are not primarily concerned with realising their avowed political projects. Instead, they are concerned with constructing and then enjoying themselves as the nation's self-ordained defenders. This means that which threatens the nation can paradoxically have a fortifying effect upon defence nationalists, legitimising and securing both the way they see themselves, and the position they see themselves occupying with/in the nation. The Psychosocial Imaginaries of Defence Nationalism will be of interest to anyone concerned with critical theorisations of contemporary nationalism, as well as with the application of psychoanalytic and psychosocial theory to social, cultural and political analysis.

Contenu
Chapter 1: Scenes of Violence.- Chapter 2: Ironic Indigeneity.- Chapter 3: The Laws of Inclusion and Exclusion.- Chapter 4: In hoc signo vinces.- Chapter 5: The Body as Real Nostalgia Without Memory.- Chapter 6: Violent (Con)fusions of the Body.- Chapter 7: Imagined Immunity.- Chapter 8: Sovereign Bodies Unto Themselves.