Recent Italian debates and the new revisionist wave have shown how historical musings about popular nationalism can be instrumentalized - albeit in a paradoxical way - to suit present-day political agenda. This chapter draws attention, first of all, to the uses and misuses of nationalism from below in the broad non professional field of public history. Subsequently, if focuses on the old and politically charged question of the relationship between peasantry and the nation, starting from the still valid suggestions offered by Antonio Gramsci. It then puts forward specific moments, milieus and sources to explore in order to detect and understand some forms of popular involvement in the national movement. Next, it considers the development of sociability and associations, notably mutual-aid societies, after 1861.They form an interesting testing ground for gauging the participation of the population and the dissemination of national as well as republican thinking. Finally, it deals with the involvment of women in patriotic demonstrations.
On the Uses and Abuses of Nationalism from Below: a Few Notes on Italy / Porciani I.. - STAMPA. - (2012), pp. 73-95.
On the Uses and Abuses of Nationalism from Below: a Few Notes on Italy
PORCIANI, ILARIA
2012
Abstract
Recent Italian debates and the new revisionist wave have shown how historical musings about popular nationalism can be instrumentalized - albeit in a paradoxical way - to suit present-day political agenda. This chapter draws attention, first of all, to the uses and misuses of nationalism from below in the broad non professional field of public history. Subsequently, if focuses on the old and politically charged question of the relationship between peasantry and the nation, starting from the still valid suggestions offered by Antonio Gramsci. It then puts forward specific moments, milieus and sources to explore in order to detect and understand some forms of popular involvement in the national movement. Next, it considers the development of sociability and associations, notably mutual-aid societies, after 1861.They form an interesting testing ground for gauging the participation of the population and the dissemination of national as well as republican thinking. Finally, it deals with the involvment of women in patriotic demonstrations.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
