Highlanders and the nation-state in continental Southeast Asia.

To counter the Manicheistic idea that << modernity >>, openness toward the world and the << progressivism >> of nation-states stands opposite the archaism and conservatism of ethnic groups, the contrast between these two sociopolitical types is shown to be less clear-cut than affirmed by classical theories of the nation-state. These theories are critically reviewed in order to point out similarities in the mechanisms that give consistency to ethnic groups and nations. Certain evident trends or facts in continental southeast Asia are discussed that have an incidence on nation-building. Focus is then shifted to the images of highlanders, held by others and by themselves, given the diversification both of their contacts and exchanges with the outside and of the sources of information to which they have access.