Historical work on the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries suggests that as nation-states were solidifying throughout Western Europe, exiled groups tended to develop rival national identities—an occurrence that had been fairly uncommon in the two preceding centuries. Diaspora Identities draws on eight case studies, ranging from the early modern period through the twentieth century, to explore the interconnectedness of exile, nationalism, and cosmopolitanism as concepts, ideals, attitudes, and strategies among diasporic groups.

Die hier versammelten Studien eröffnen neue Perspektiven auf Nationalismus und Kosmopolitismus. Sie machen deutlich, dass schon vor dem »nationalen« 19. Jahrhundert im Kontext von Diaspora, Exil und Migration Identitäten und Verhaltensweisen entstanden, die zugleich kosmopolitisch und nationalistisch waren.