This concise introduction offers an overview of the global rise and spread of nationalism since the late 18th century. Reflecting on key themes and existing scholarship it presents case studies and primary sources to track the emergence of the modern nation, and understand how nationalism has given rise to phenomena such as identity-based conflict, authoritarian politics and populist movements. Debating Nationalism uses an inclusive perspective that goes beyond a Western European focus to explore how nationalism has expressed itself in nation states and influenced a range of political ideologies over the last 300 years. It engages with the key debates within nationalism studies such as the origins of nations, the mechanisms and actors that reinforce it and the dynamics of ethnic conflict. Using a historical lens to shed light on contemporary issues, it also considers debates around migration, diversity and authoritarian politics found in new nationalism in the modern day. This book includes a dedicated chapter as a guide to key debates and further reading alongside a glossary of terms to help students achieve a holistic understanding of the history of nationalism. “[A] succinct and readable overview of recent developments within the field of nationalism studies … Probably the best aspect of the book is its very didactic tone. Bieber really makes an effort to explain developments and theories to those who are new to the field, and the book will especially be useful to undergraduate students in a variety of disciplines, such as political science, history, nationalism studies and international relations.” ― Nations and Nationalism “ Debating Nationalism is an excellent and extraordinarily useful short survey of key problems and debates in the history and theory of nationalism. Its skilful mix of conceptual argument and empirical detail makes it especially well-suited to courses in political theory or political science that deal with nationalism, ethno-national conflict, or the place of national identity in contemporary politics. ” ― Paul Hanebrink, Professor of History and Jewish Studies, Rutgers University, USA Florian Bieber is Professor of Southeast European History and Politics and Director of the Center for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, Austria. He has been a visiting professor at Cornell University, USA, Central European University, the College of Europe, and the Universities of Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Bologna. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the Free University of Brussels, the LSE and New York University. Furthermore, he is president of the Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN) and coordinator of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG) and has written extensively about politics and the history of Southeastern Europe. His recent books include Debating Nationalism (Bloomsbury Academic, 2026) and The Rise of Authoritarianism in the Western Balkans (2020). Peter N. Stearns is Professor Emeritus in the Dept of History at George Mason University. His most recent publications include, as author, Cultural Change in Modern World History (Bloomsbury, 2018), Peacebuilding Through Dialogue (Virginia, 2018), Shame: A Brief History (Illinois, 2017), Sexuality in World History , Ed.II (Routledge, 2017), The Industrial Revolution in World History Ed.IV (Westview, 2016), Globalization in World History , Ed.II (Routledge, 2016), Childhood in World History , Ed.III (Routledge, 2016), The Industrial Turn in World History (Routledge, 2016), Gender in World History (Routledge, 2015), Debating the Industrial Revolution (Bloomsbury, 2015); and as editor, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World: 1750 to the Present (Oxford, 2008). Peter N. Stearns is Provost of George Mason University, and teaches courses in world history and social history. Stearns is a past vice president of the American Historical Association, in charge of the Teaching Division. He currently serves as chair of the Advanced Placement World History committee, founded and continues to serve as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Social History . Stearns is the author or editor of over 85 books.