Abstract
A popular approach in the analysis of war commemoration associates commemorative practices with the expression of nationalism. War commemoration is perceived as an instrument that forges national identifications, unites societies and acts as an essential component in ‘the symbolic repertoire of the nation-states’ (Ashplant et al., 2000, p. 7). This approach draws its inspiration from a classic study by Maurice Halbwachs on Collective Memory (1992 [1950]). According to Halbwachs, collective memory is a social construct and ‘a social fact’ that comes into existence by the power of social groups. Halbwachs considers collective memories as ‘a part of a totality of thoughts common to a group, a group with whom we have a relation at this moment, or with whom we have had a relation on the preceding day or days’ (1992, p. 52). From his perspective, family, religious association and social class make the most important contribution to collective memory. Scholars of nationalism extrapolate his conclusions to the level of nation-states.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | The Politics of War Commemoration in the UK and Russia |
Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan |
Pages | 1-18 |
Number of pages | 18 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-137-39571-9 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-1-349-67939-3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Publication series
Name | Palgrave Macmillan Memory Studies |
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ISSN (Print) | 2634-6257 |
ISSN (Electronic) | 2634-6265 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015, Nataliya Danilova.
Keywords
- Armed Force
- Civilian Society
- Collective Memory
- Military Service
- Western Democracy