Quote by E. J. Hobsbawm

Nations without a past are contradictions in terms. What makes a nation is the past, what justifies one nation against others is the past, and historians are the people who produce it.

Nations without a past are contradictions in terms. What mak

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of a nation's history in defining its identity and distinguishing it from other nations. It suggests that a nation's past shapes its present and future, and that historians play a crucial role in uncovering and interpreting that past. Without a well-established history, a nation lacks a necessary foundation for its existence. Therefore, the quote highlights the significance of acknowledging and understanding history as a means of understanding and affirming the collective identity and uniqueness of a nation.

Topics

Nationalism Nation Nationality

By E. J. Hobsbawm

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