Introduction. Anarchism and the national question—historical, theoretical and contemporary perspectives

This article provides an introduction to the themed section ‘Anarchism and national question—historical, theoretical contemporary perspectives.’ We discuss first long often overlooked engagement of anarchists with colonial liberation question, particularly—but not exclusively—in heyday movement (from second half 19th decades 20th century). in particular overlaps tensions between republicans (those who favoured republics as opposed monarchies) anti-colonial nationalists (anti-colonialists defended right self-determination). Then we proceed potential for a dialogue anarchist nationalism studies based on three interventions. First, problematise narrative that conflates nations state-building processes. Second, better grasp emergence alternatives nation–state historical construct. Third, complicate narratives associate unproblematic fashion internationalism classless society. Finally, highlights four questions which lie at core briefly how papers relate these.