The core objective of this book is to connect ethno-symbolism to securitization theory. It argues that nationalist political ideology exists as part of a socialization effort, establishing differences to securitize a nation from an enemy nation.  The argument and research are based on a Department of Defense Minerva Grant focused on food nationalism that included travel to Greece, North Macedonia, Turkey, Armenia, and India. Focusing on nationalism as a speech act that is connected to everyday life such as cuisine and the larger food economy, the book showcases how the extent to which nationalism remains the state’s primary organizing principle even in an increasingly multipolar world. 

Hanna Kassab is Assistant Professor at East Carolina University. He is the author of "Self-Esteem, Altruism, and Power in Multipolarity" and a forthcoming book on "Post-Colonial Realism: Cultural Conflicts, Cuisine, and the Changing International System". His interests include foreign policy and national security in multipolarity.