Memory Politics, Identity and Conflict: Historical Memory as a Variable

Description

This book focuses on the methodology of research on historical memory and contributes to theoretical discussions concerning the use of historical memory as a variable to explain political action and social movement. The chapters of the book conceptualize the relationship between historical memory and national identity formation, perceptions, and policy-making. The author particularly analyses how contested memory and the related social discourse can lead to nationalism and international conflict. Based on theories and research from multiple fields of studies, this book proposes a series of analytic frameworks for the purpose of conceptualizing the functions of historical memory. These analytic frameworks can help categorize, measure, and subsequently demonstrate the effects of historical memory. This book also discusses how to use public opinion polls, textbooks, important texts and documents, monuments and memory sites for conducting research to examine the functions of historical memory. Front Matter ....Pages i-xi Historical Memory as an Omitted Variable? (Zheng Wang)....Pages 1-9 Collective Memory and National Identity (Zheng Wang)....Pages 11-25 Memory, Perception, and Policy Making (Zheng Wang)....Pages 27-39 Memory, Education, and Textbooks (Zheng Wang)....Pages 41-55 The Four Dimensions of Historical Memory (Zheng Wang)....Pages 57-72 Researching Historical Memory (Zheng Wang)....Pages 73-92 Back Matter ....Pages 93-102