National Identity and the “Great Divide” between Two Theories. Where Does the Albanian National Identity Take Part

Abstract

According to Tom Nairn, the reason why the dispute between modernists and primordialists is not resolved is that it is irresolvable. This is because the two approaches place different emphases on different aspects of identity formation. Nairn described the debate between Anthony Smith and Ernest Gellner as a courteous difference of emphasis. Hence, the old presuppositions of modernism are losing their hold, but no one is quite sure what new ones will replace them. The great debate in nationalism studies is one between so-called “primordialists” and “modernists”. Put simply, primordialists argue that the nation derives directly from a priori ethnic groups and is based on kinship ties and ancient heritage. For their part, modernists insist that the nation is an entirely novel form of identity and political organization, which owes nothing to ethnic heritage and everything to modernism, and the scope of the debate between them fails to offer a satisfactory account of the formation of national identity. In this context, we need to see where Albanian national identity fits. This paper seeks to show how it reacted to the waves of social transition. Where does it find itself, and what connects it with globalisation?