Ernest Gellner’s conception of nationalism and its critique

Abstract

The author refreshes the dispute about the topicality of Ernest Gellner’s findings in the nation and nationalism matter. Here the main objections against Gellner’s theory have been gathered: the rejection of ideology, functionalism, reductionism, false determinant, Olimpian perspective, theorization and the moral dilemma. The author begins with a short summary of Ernest Gellner’s theory of nationalism. Then, the aforementioned objections are presented. Next part contains the criticism of these objections and their refutation mainly because of undermining their methodological content. As can be seen, the lack of methodology can nullify even the most accurate factual material. The author concludes that Ernest Gellner’s work is still worthy of attention of researchers.