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*Dear Colleague,*
*Library of Social Science Book Reviews <http://bit.ly/LSSBR> identifies
significant publications—and brings them to the attention of thinking
people everywhere through the Library of Social Science
Newsletter<http://bit.ly/LSSNL>,
which reaches 60,000 scholars and policy makers around the world.*
*The excerpt below is from a recent review essay of Emilio Gentile’s Politics
as Religion. To read the entire review, **please click
here<http://bit.ly/GenPol>
.*
*Emilio Gentile defines political religion as a "more or less developed
system of beliefs, myths, rituals and symbols" that creates an aura of
sacredness around an entity belonging to the world and "turns it into a
cult or object of worship or devotion." "Gods" are one class of entities
that human beings worship. However, other objects become sacred within
societies. One such entity worshipped in the modern world—inspiring a cult
of devotion—is the Nation-State. The state may appear as an "enthralling
and awe-inspiring power that invokes a feeling of absolute dependency."
Contemporary social theory—focusing on the concept of power—demonstrates
how forces "from above" impose themselves upon "the subject." Gentile puts
forth a more sophisticated—psychological—paradigm based on recognition that
human beings possess a desire to attach to and worship objects greater than
the self.*
*To read "WORSHIPING NATIONS": Review of Politics as Religion—and for
information on subscribing to Library of Social Science Newsletters by
email, please click here <http://bit.ly/GenPol>.*
*Do you know of an important book title that deserves in-depth analysis and
wider attentions? Please write to me with your suggestions at
[log in to unmask] We particularly would like to know
about books focused on the following topics:*
- *Political psychology*
- *Analysis of ideologies*
- *Warfare*
- *Genocide*
- *Nationalism*
- *Fascism & totalitarianism*
- *Psychological meanings of culture*
- *Embodiment and the Body Politic*
- *Social theory*
*I hope you will check out our website…and I’m looking forward to hearing
from you.*
*Best regards,*
*Orion*
*Orion Anderson
Managing Editor | Library of Social Science
Telephone: (718) 393-1104
Fax: (413) 832-8145
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