Democracy and Myth in Russia and Eastern Europe

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Democracy, History, Asian, Russia, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Democracy and Myth in Russia and Eastern Europe by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781134089079
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: October 18, 2007
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781134089079
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: October 18, 2007
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In the absence of democratic state institutions, eastern European countries were considered to possess only myths of democracy. Working on the premise that democracy is not only an institutional arrangement but also a civilisational project, this book argues that mythical narratives help understanding the emergence of democracy without ‘democrats’. Examining different national traditions as well as pre-communist and communist narratives, myths are seen as politically fabricated ‘programmes of truth’ that form and sustain the political imagination. Appearing as cultural, literary, or historical resources, myths amount to ideology in narrative form, which actors use in political struggles for the sake of achieving social compliance and loyalty with the authority of new political forms. Drawing on a wide range of case studies including Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, this book argues that narratives about the past are not simply ‘legacies’ of former regimes but have actively shaped representations and meanings of democracy in the region. Taking different theoretical and methodological approaches, the power of myth is explored for issues such as leadership, collective identity-formation, literary representation of heroic figures, cultural symbolism in performative art as well as on the constitution of legitimacy and civic identity in post-communist democracies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the absence of democratic state institutions, eastern European countries were considered to possess only myths of democracy. Working on the premise that democracy is not only an institutional arrangement but also a civilisational project, this book argues that mythical narratives help understanding the emergence of democracy without ‘democrats’. Examining different national traditions as well as pre-communist and communist narratives, myths are seen as politically fabricated ‘programmes of truth’ that form and sustain the political imagination. Appearing as cultural, literary, or historical resources, myths amount to ideology in narrative form, which actors use in political struggles for the sake of achieving social compliance and loyalty with the authority of new political forms. Drawing on a wide range of case studies including Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, this book argues that narratives about the past are not simply ‘legacies’ of former regimes but have actively shaped representations and meanings of democracy in the region. Taking different theoretical and methodological approaches, the power of myth is explored for issues such as leadership, collective identity-formation, literary representation of heroic figures, cultural symbolism in performative art as well as on the constitution of legitimacy and civic identity in post-communist democracies.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book An Introduction To Staff Development In Academic Libraries by
Cover of the book The Struggle for Madrid by
Cover of the book Experiencing School Mathematics by
Cover of the book Creating Meaningful Inquiry in Inclusive Classrooms by
Cover of the book Creating Smart Cities by
Cover of the book Moscow Performances II by
Cover of the book Gay and Lesbian Youth by
Cover of the book Organizational Behavior and Public Management, Revised and Expanded by
Cover of the book Frontline Feminisms by
Cover of the book Fiction and Fictionalism by
Cover of the book The Transformation of Strategic Affairs by
Cover of the book Test Less Assess More by
Cover of the book Democracy in the European Union by
Cover of the book Archaeologies of Placemaking by
Cover of the book UN Millennium Development Library: Taking Action by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy