New regional identities and strategic essentialism

Identity has become an important issue in many European regions. However, it has happened at a time when many scientists adopt critical stances regarding the concept of identity. This paradox encourages the authors to explore some current discourse on regional identity in Poland ('Swietokrzyskie, 'Slaskie, Warmi'nsko-Mazurskie), Italy (Trentino-South Tyrol, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto) and Germany (Brandenburg). Accounts of nation state contexts, thorough exploration of fields most important to the shaping of regional identity, and reflections on the concept of strategic essentialism are among the book's key features.