This concise introduction offers an overview of the global rise and spread of nationalism since the late 18th century. Reflecting on key themes and 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 goes beyond a European focus to explore how nationalism has led to the emergence of nation states, ethnic conflict and how it is expressed everyday over the last 300 years. It engages with key debates such as the origins of nations and the dynamics of ethnic conflict and uses a historical lens to shed light on contemporary issues around migration, diversity and authoritarian politics. This updated and revised edition includes updates on recent developments and the latest literature with additional material throughout, covering the rise of the far-right, Covid-19, Russian aggression against Ukraine and the war in Gaza, and topics including everyday nationalism, culture, minority nationalist politics, gender, and post-colonial authoritarianism. With new further reading sections, a dedicated chapter as a guide to key debates and a glossary of terms, this book offers students a holistic understanding of the history of nationalism. “The range, quantity, and quality of new material that the author has added to Debating Nationalism makes this revised version especially relevant. The book now explores key debates more deeply still, whether in relation to forms of nationalism or in regard to the populist turn and the dangers of nationalist authoritarianism.” ― Martin Thomas, Professor of Imperial History, University of Exeter, UK “In a broad and deep sweep, Florian Bieber explores the historical processes that have shaped nations and nationalism from the 18th century to the present. The global approach is both impressive and urgent. A new chapter in this 2nd edition of the book covers the recent trend connecting nationalism, populism, and authoritarianism.” ― Bo Stråth, Emeritus Professor of Nordic, European and World History, University of Helsinki, Finland 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.