The early twentieth century witnessed the emergence of Scottish and Quebec nationalisms that were closely intertwined with liberal philosophies. The Young Scots' Society and the Ligue nationaliste canadienne carried these liberal nationalist ideas. This book offers a comparative and historical examination of their ideas and politics, exploring the Young Scots as a movement, as well as the ideas of key Nationalistes. James Kennedy argues that the growth of the Young Scots' Society and the Ligue nationaliste canadienne was largely in response to changes within empire, state, and civil society. He suggests that the actions of the British Empire and the Canadian state not only prompted nationalist responses in Scotland and Quebec respectively, but also shaped their liberal character. His comparative analysis provides insights that would not arise from a single case study of either movement, while detailing the important roles that geopolitics, consociation and federation, and organized religion played in the creation of nationalist philosophies. The first-ever comparative history of nationalism in Scotland and Quebec, Liberal Nationalisms is an insightful study of nascent political nationalisms and a major contribution to the scholarship of nationalist movements in the early twentieth century.

James Kennedy is senior lecturer in sociology and programme director of the MSc in Nationalism Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

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“[Liberal Nationalisms] is both a strong contribution to the sociology of nationalism, and a distinguished sociological contribution to the understanding of Canadian and Quebec society, about a perennial issue.“ The John Porter Tradition of Excellence Book Award Committee, Canadian Sociological Association

"Liberal Nationalisms represents a major contribution to the field. Kennedy’s discussion of the way in which the British Empire was evolving away from Victorian liberalism and the effect this had on both nationalist movements is particularly interesting,

"This is an impressive contribution, theoretically informed and empirically sustained, and written with sufficient clarity and breadth to establish itself as a key text for those examining nationalism, national identity, political and constitutional history, and the final stages of the British Empire." Graeme Morton, University of Guelph

"[Liberal Nationalisms] is both a strong contribution to the sociology of nationalism, and a distinguished sociological contribution to the understanding of Canadian and Quebec society, about a perennial issue." The John Porter Tradition of Excellence Boo