Against the Nation

Following the German reunification process in the 1990s, a new movement appeared in Germany. This movement rejected all forms of nationalism, including the desirability and legitimacy of national communities, borders, and the existence of the nation-state itself. 

Against the Nation covers the background of this movement—the rise of Neo-Nazism, racist violence, restriction in immigration policies, and growing state power—as well as its urge to organize society around other principles than nationality.

By examining the campaigns and documents of the various anti-national tendencies in Germany during this period, Robert Ogman takes a fresh look at the question of nationalism and its relationship to Left politics.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

The Left and the Nation

German Nationalism after Unification

Never Again Germany!

Something Better than the Nation

Anti-National Perspectives

Robert Ogman was involved in a wide variety of Left social movements in the United States before pursuing political theory at The Institute for Social Ecology (Vermont, U.S.), and The New School (New York City) where he acquired his BA. His interest in anti-national perspectives led him to Berlin where he resides today. There he completed his MA in political science at Universität Potsdam and wrote his thesis on the anti-national Left, which forms the basis of this book. Remaining active in social movements, he is also working on his dissertation on the U.S. left's response to the economic crisis.