Subversive Archaism

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The book delves into how marginalized communities, like mountain shepherds in Greece and urban slum dwellers in Thailand, utilize nationalist traditions to resist state authority. Michael Herzfeld illustrates their nuanced approach, showing that while these groups challenge bureaucratic power, they do not reject national identity. Instead, they question the alignment of state and nation, revealing the vulnerabilities of bureaucratic systems amid globalization. Herzfeld's analysis highlights the political implications of their heritage claims and the often-misunderstood nature of their resistance.