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  • © 2019

Political Symbols and National Identity in Timor-Leste

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Expands research on nation-building in Timor-Leste, adding a new dimension to studies of national identity
  • Develops theories of national identity, and symbols, offering a more robust theoretical approach by bringing together a range of social science disciplines
  • Examines an often overlooked aspect of post-conflict nation-building in a unique, post-colonial context

Part of the book series: Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies (RCS)

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Conclusion

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 239-239
    2. Conclusion

      • Catherine E. Arthur
      Pages 241-247
  3. Back Matter

    Pages 249-257

About this book

This book explores how national identity has been negotiated and (re)imagined through the political symbols that embody it in post-conflict Timor-Leste. It develops a Modernist approach to nations and nationalism by incorporating Bourdieusian theories of symbolic capital and conflict, to examine how national identity has been constructed and represented in political symbols. Taking case studies of flags, monuments, national heroes, and street art, it critically analyses how a diverse population has interpreted and (re)constructed its national identity throughout the first decade of independence, and how the transition from a context of conflict to peace has influenced such popular imaginings. By examining these processes of identification with a wide range of symbols, the book discusses the numerous challenges that this young nation-state still faces, including victimhood and recognition, democratization and electoral politics, the political role of cosmology and spirituality, and post-colonial generational differences and divisions.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK

    Catherine E. Arthur

About the author

Catherine Arthur's research on post-conflict nation-building, identity politics, and symbols particularly focuses on Timor-Leste as a transitional society.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access