Defensive Nationalism

In Defensive Nationalism, B. S. Rabinowitz looks at the rise of nativism and populism today by using the works of two great theoreticians: Karl Polanyi and Joseph Schumpeter. She combines Polanyi's concept of the 'double movement' away from markets and toward social protection with Schumpeter's theory of innovation. Rabinowitz argues turn-of-the-century transportation and communications revolutions in both eras produced toxic political upheavals and reframes nationalism as a three-part process: creative, consolidating, and defensive. Skillfully combining theory and history, the author produces a stunningly comprehensive account of why populism and fascism are on the rise in the early 21st century.