Events

The Banal Nationalism of Food

Hosted by the Department of Government

Vera Anstey Room, Old Building, LSE

Speaker

Dr Ronald Ranta

Dr Ronald Ranta

Chair

Iro Konstantinou

Iro Konstantinou

Walking down the high street, or the supermarket aisle for the matter, it is hard to miss the banal nationalisation of food all around us. The restaurants we frequent, the cookbooks we buy, and the coffees and teas we drink are increasingly related to particular nations. Two decades ago Michael Billig argued that we dont forget our nationality because we are constantly reminded that we live in nations. Using food as my case study, and building on Billigs concept of banal nationalism, I explore the relationship between the advance of globalisation and the increasing nationalisation of our everyday lives.

Dr. Ronald Ranta is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Kingston University and a Research Associate at University College, London. 

Iro Konstantinou has recently completed her PhD at the University of Warwick at the Department of Sociology. 

The Department of Government (@LSEGovernment) at LSE is one of the largest political science departments in the UK. Our activities cover a comprehensive range of approaches to the study of politics.

The Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism (ASEN) is an interdisciplinary student-led research association founded by research students and academics in 1990 at the London School of Economics & Political Science.

Accessibility

If you are planning to attend this event and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, as well as on accessibility and special requirements, please refer to LSE Events FAQ. LSE aims to ensure that people have equal access to these public events, but please contact the event’s organiser as far as possible in advance if you have any access requirements, so that arrangements, where possible, can be made. If the event is ticketed, please ensure you get in touch in advance of the ticket release date. Access Guides to all our venues can be viewed online.

WIFI Access

LSE has now introduced wireless for guests and visitors in association with 'The Cloud', also in use at many other locations across the UK. If you are on campus visiting for the day or attending a conference or event, you can connect your device to wireless. See more information and create an account at Join the Cloud.


Visitors from other participating institutions are encouraged to use eduroam. If you are having trouble connecting to eduroam, please contact your home institution for assistance.
The Cloud is only intended for guest and visitor access to wifi. Existing LSE staff and students are encouraged to use eduroam instead.

LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of The London School of Economics and Political Science.

From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend checking back on this listing on the day of the event if you plan to attend. 

Whilst we are hosting this listing, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administration of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure that accurate information is given here (for instance by checking that the room has been booked) this event is ultimately the responsibility of the organisation presenting the event.