Nacija, ideologija, modernizacija: Mirjana Gross i istraživanja nacije i nacionalizma

Abstract

This article analyses Mirjana Gross’ approach to the study of nations and nationalism. She was the first Croatian historian to systematically address nation, nationalism and national identities as sui generis subjects of historical research. The emphasis in this article is put on two key concepts – the process of national integration and the national integrational ideologies – as well as their interdependency with the concept of modernization as part of Gross’ conception of social history. The efforts centred on the theoretical and methodological transformations of Croatian historiography, coupled with critical appropriations of contemporary historiographical trends, also played an important role in shaping her approach. The broadening of historiographical research subjects, especially to include social and economic history, interdisciplinary efforts, most importantly concerning sociology, and dialogue with intellectual currents stemming from the Annales school and ‘western Marxism’ thus heavily shaped Gross’ understanding of the concepts of nation, national identity and ideology. However, all of this needs to be evaluated by considering the context of the post-war Yugoslav historiography, its specificities and similarities with other Eastern and East Central European historiographies. It is especially fruitful to compare Mirjana Gross’ approach with that of Miroslav Hroch, who was a major source for the conceptualization of her own research. Finally, the article valorises Mirjana Gross’ contribution to nation and nationalism studies, briefly presents some newer trends in that area and considers incentives and limitations for further research.