ABSTRACT
Theoretical approaches to nationalism typically are divided into primordialist and constructionist views. The former emphasizes that shared culture creates a sense of shared identity that is fundamental to motivations and group interests; constructionist approaches regard identity as situational and created in specific historical circumstances. Primordialist views are popular among nationalists themselves, who seek to assert the depth and significance of the identities they promote, while scholars have largely adopted constructionist views. However, Comaroff has expressed doubts about any general theory of nationalism, arguing that neither approach explains much about national or ethnic identities and that these must be regarded as relations rather than things and be examined in their specific historical circumstances (1995, pp. 24376). This chapter considers the operation of ethnic and national identities in the case of Ethiopia.
