Collective Remembering and the Making of Political Culture

Collective memory shapes political culture, influenced by institutional and individual responses to historical events. This book explores how it is produced and organized through commemoration, monuments, and storytelling, providing insights into how different disciplines can contribute to understanding political culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Collective memory holds immense power in shaping political culture across the globe. It intertwines representations and reinterpretations of the past with actions that shape the future. The political culture of a nation emerges from the intricate interplay of institutional and individual responses to historical events. These responses evolve and transform over time, influencing society's evolution. By delving into these layers of memory, we gain valuable insights into our current position.

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of collective memory, drawing from examples ranging from colonization and decolonization to the pivotal moments of world wars. Through commemoration, monuments, and personal narratives, collective memory is produced and organized. James H. Liu demonstrates how different disciplines, such as history, sociology, and psychology, can converge through shared concepts like narratives and generational memories to provide mutually enriching perspectives on the creation and transformation of political culture.

By examining the ways in which collective memory is shaped and shared, this book sheds light on the complex dynamics that underpin political systems and societies. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and understanding historical events and their impact on the present, as well as the potential for collective memory to promote social change and foster a sense of shared identity.

In conclusion, collective memory plays a crucial role in shaping political culture worldwide. By exploring its production, organization, and impact, this book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics that underpin societies and provides a framework for understanding how political culture is made and changes over time.

ISBN-13: 9781108984737