Introduction 

Part I. Nation in Theory

Chapter 1 Nation-Formation Strategies in Contemporary Nation-Studies 

Chapter 2 State and Nation 

Chapter 3 Nationalism, Capitalism, Liberalism: The East European Perspective 

Chapter 4 Nationalism and Socialism: The Soviet Case 

Part II. The Rise and Development of the Belarusian National Idea 

Chapter 5 The First Belarusian Nationalist Movement: Between National and Class Interests

Chapter 6 Byelorussian Republic within the Soviet State 

Chapter 7 Post-Soviet Conditions for Independence 

Part III. Belarusian Post-Communism

Chapter 8 The Election of the First Belarusian President as a Mirror of Belarusian Preferences 

Chapter 9 “Labels” of the Belarusian Regime 

Chapter 10 “Triple Transformation” and Belarus 

Chapter 11 Prerequisites of Democratization and Authoritarianism in Belarus 

Part IV. Arguments and Paradoxes of Weak Belarusian Identity 

Chapter 12 Belarus as an Example of National and Democratic Failure 

Chapter 13 The Russian Factor in Belarusian Self-Perception 

Chapter 14 The Paradox of “National Pride” 

Chapter 15 Paradoxes of Political and Linguistic Russification 

Chapter 16 Lack of Religious Basis for National Unity 

Part V. The Struggle over Identity

Chapter 17 Two Ideas of “Belarusianness” in Place of “Sole” National Idea 

Chapter 18 Belarusian-Specific Nature of the Public Sphere: Invisible Wall 

Chapter 19 Belarusian Tradition: The Alternative and Official Historical Narrations 

Chapter 20 Political Discourses of Alternative Belarusianness 

Chapter 21 National Ideology of the Belarusian State as a Political Articulation of Official Belarusianness 

Part VI. Cultural Manifestation versus Social Reification 

Chapter 22 Two Belarusian Approaches to the Politics of Identity 

Chapter 23 “The Belarusian Globe”: An Encyclopedia of What Existed before Communism

Chapter 24 Belarusian National Film Misterium Occupation: Distancing Themselves from Soviets and Russians 

Chapter 25 Free Theater: Alternative Belarusianness on the Stage 

Chapter 26 Independent Rock Music: Critical Reflection and Protest

Chapter 27 Medieval Reenactors: A Manifestation of Belarus’s European History 

Chapter 28 The Official Politics of Identity: Social Reification Strategy 

Conclusion 

Bibliography

Index