National identity and vernacular mobilisation in Europe

Smith, Anthony D.

doi:10.1111/j.1469-8129.2011.00491.x

Cited by 15 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In a later book, Smith (1999, 253) emphasizes the role of preexisting ethno-symbolic resources or mythomoteurs in the resurgence of nationalism. Following the late Anthony Smith and further constructivist scholars, I pay special attention to elites who play a major role in constructing new discourses of the nation and seek to represent collective memories, taking their diverse intentions, agendas, and strategies specifically into consideration (Fox and Miller-Idriss 2008;Smith 2011). This "view from above" will be complemented with a "view from below" by investigating the meanings that audiences give to and the uses they make of these memories.…”

Section: Memory Politics and Neonationalismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Memory-Politics and Neonationalism: Trianon as Mythomoteur

Feischmidt

2020

Nationalities Papers

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Analyzing the newly emerged Trianon cult, this article argues that the current wave of memory politics became the engine of new forms of nationalism in Hungary constituted by extremist and moderate right-wing civic and political actors. Following social anthropologists Gingrich and Banks, the term neonationalism will be applied and linked with the concept “mythomoteur” of John Armstrong and Anthony D. Smith, emphasizing the role of preexisting ethno-symbolic resources or mythomoteurs in the resurgence of nationalism. Special attention will be given to elites who play a major role in constructing new discourses of the nation and seek to control collective memories, taking their diverse intentions, agendas, and strategies specifically into consideration. This “view from above” will be complemented with a “view from below” by investigating the meanings that audiences give to and the uses they make of these memories. Thus, the analysis has three dimensions: it starts with the analysis of symbols, topics, and arguments applied by public Trianon discourses; it continues with the analysis of everyday perceptions, memory, and identity concerns; and finally ends with an anthropological interpretation of memory politics regarding a new form of nationalism arising in the context of propelling and mainstreaming populist right-wing politics. The main argument of this article is that although the Hungarian Trianon cult, identified as national mythomoteur, invokes a historical trauma, it rather speaks to current feelings of loss and disenfranchisement, offering symbolic compensation through the transference of historical glory, pride, and self-esteem within a mythological framework. This article is part of a larger effort to understand the cultural logic and social support of new forms of nationalism in Hungary propelled by the populist far right.

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Section: Memory Politics and Neonationalismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Memory-Politics and Neonationalism: Trianon as Mythomoteur

Feischmidt

2020

Nationalities Papers

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“…Close examinations of everyday nationalist practices may reveal why some legitimating claims succeed while others ring hollow, or why citizens regard some ethnic brands as “authentic” while viewing others as “fake” or commercialized. In other words, vernacular understandings of ethnicity are both necessary for, and necessarily prior to, their manipulation by ethno‐preneurs (Smith, ; Whitmeyer, ).…”

Section: Conclusion: Bringing the Quotidian Back Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Everyday Nationalism: Constructivism for the Masses*

Goode

Stroup

2015

Social Science Quarterly

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Objective. We argue that the "everyday nationalism" approach is both useful and necessary for improving existing constructivist approaches in the comparative study of nationalism and ethnic politics. Methods. A meta-analysis of existing studies reveals pervasive conceptual and methodological problems of contemporary constructivist approaches. We consider the implications of replacing individuals or groups with ethnic or nationalist practices as units of analysis. Results. Everyday nationalism promises to address the gap between constructivist theory and the methodological individualism of existing studies. This approach proceeds from ethnographic observation and utilizes methods reliant on observing societal interaction or relational meaning making for verification. We illustrate such a research strategy using examples of nationalist legitimation in authoritarian regimes and the ethnicization of economic development. Conclusion. The everyday nationalism approach promises to overcome the shortcomings in much contemporary constructivist work. The potential for developing qualitative data sets of nationalist or ethnic practices further promises to complement constructivist insights.Over the last 25 years, the comparative study of nationalism and ethnic politics in the social sciences witnessed something of a renaissance. A new generation of scholars advanced research agendas concerning nationalist mobilization (Stroschein, 2012). In decisively breaking with primordial assumptions about ethnicity and nationality as a function of descent, this new literature formed creative linkages with related work on social movements, social and political institutions, social psychology, cognitive science, and international relations. This intellectual ferment found infrastructural support for scholarship in the founding (and revival) of new academic journals, scholarly organizations, degree-granting programs, and inclusion in standard disciplinary curricula. Yet the depth and success of these efforts also cast into sharp relief the gaps, omissions, and opportunities in the field: in brief, the masses remain something of a mystery.That the study of ethnic and nationalist politics would be challenged by the incorporation of mass society into analysis is surprising, given the widespread scholarly acceptance of the constructivist paradigm. In broad terms, constructivists hold that power is both ideational *

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“…The study shows that history teachers use specific interpretations of historic events to support their ideological and political positions, sharpening and reshaping them through sound stories and legitimizing accounts (Smith, 2011). They appropriate and render specific characteristics, values, and beliefs of the national community to create meanings of a complex social and political reality (Hammack & Pilecki, 2012;Moghaddam, 2008).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Constructing nation: national narratives of history teachers in Ukraine

Korostelina

2013

National Identities

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National identity and vernacular mobilisation in Europe

Cited by 15 publications

References 38 publications

Memory-Politics and Neonationalism: Trianon as Mythomoteur

Memory-Politics and Neonationalism: Trianon as Mythomoteur

Everyday Nationalism: Constructivism for the Masses*

Constructing nation: national narratives of history teachers in Ukraine

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