ABSTRACT
The studies on nations and nationalism postulate a link between education and nationalism and the manner in which this link is presented is often similar: these works underline the homogenizing and hence nationalizing effect of the education system and educational content. They also point out the central role played in this process by the ‘common past’ transmitted by the school. However, these studies generally give few details on how things work; the line of argument linking the school, the ‘common past’ and the nation is, most of the time, sketchy and secondary. It can be summarized as follows: the ‘common past’ is essential for nation-building. The state, being in a position of power, prescribes a ‘common past’ and imposes it in different spheres and by different means, particularly through the educational system.1
