From the Editor . . .

From the Editor . . . A recent review by William Wallace in the Times Literary Supplement (26 November 1993, p. 10) is so relevant to us in Modern Greek studies that I wish to quote it at some length. It begins: "Economists and political scientists are rationalists at heart. For them, policy emerges out of the clash of opposing interests and the convergence of shared objectives. Sociologists and anthropologists are more attuned to nonrational elements, to the shared memories and myths which constitute communities and provide identity for those within them." The review ends: "Most European nation-states . .. are relatively recent creations, whose boundaries owe as much to accident (and war) as to geography and ethnicity. Many states in Europe . . . are now experiencing a crisis of national identity. . . . But there is little sign of any alternative focus for identity . . . gaining popular acceptance. Hence . . . the confusions of national politics across Europe. We will need the combined skills of economists and anthropologists, of historians and political scientists, focusing on the non-rational as well as the rational elements of European politics, to make sense of that confusion." In issue after issue, JMGS places articles written by rationalists side by side with articles written by those more attuned to non-rational elements. In sum, it offers us an opportunity not normally present in the journals of our separate disciplines: the opportunity to appreciate different approaches. Surely no single methodology has a monopoly on truth. This issue inaugurates a new section, "Commentary," which invites readers to voice their agreement or disagreement with positions taken by our authors, but always, I hope, with some measure of crossdisciplinary tolerance. In this issue, too, we say goodbye to Michael Herzfeld as associate editor owing to his appointment as editor of the American Ethnologist. Professor Herzfeld has been an active, good-natured member of the JMGS team for three years and a truly professional presence. We welcome Peter Allen in his place. PETER BIEN, EDITOR ...