:The Rise of Nationalism in Venezuela
Eugene Piñero
Jonathan Eastwood's disquisition is a most eloquent example of the fact that, since we are not messianic entelechy, historians must collapse past reality into disciplines addressing unit analysis even as it constrains epistemological reach analytic model (“my approach also has its limitations” [p. 1]), approximates truth that scholars want to know or explain. The model's “nationalism” in Venezuelan, Spanish, and Spanish American concretization. book's introduction concerns itself with theory(ies) nationalism their applicability under scrutiny. We learn “nationalism long-term, macro sociological phenomenon”; “sphere values” and, thus, “ideas”; human beings political agents who create nation. Such definition questions perennialist structuralist theories while endorsing constructivists. In defining nationalism, Eastwood asserts studies highly localized communities, particular, be complemented macrolevel, general studies. then “focuses largely on elite discourse,” ignoring emphasize specificity time-place contributors concretization historic phenomenon. He particular role played by Venezuelan elite. scrutinizes idea performance for Bourbon Spain chapter one, America colonial period two, Venezuela chapters three four.
The American Historical Review