Dear Editor,

Axel Klein’s letter in the last edition of the JMI, which censures both the manner and force of Patrick Zuk’s review of Musical Constructions of Nationalism, struck me as being distinctly odd. In suggesting that ‘everyone is entitled to [their] own opinion’, and that ‘international reputation’ should somehow secure a privilege for some opinions over others, he is surely presenting a highly questionable view of scholarly debate.

Moreover, I read Patrick Zuk’s review with interest and attention and while the ideas he discusses are strongly criticised I’m at a loss as to know how it could be interpreted as a personal attack, which is the implication of Axel Klein’s letter. In fact the whole thrust of his letter seems unfortunately to personalise an objective discussion, to take it out of the realm of scholarship and into that of politics.

Eoin Hegarty
Cork