National Identity as a Historical Narrative

Abstract

The author of the article notes that the political use of the past is important for the construction of all types of collective identity. However, the past and the historical memory have special significance for the “imagined nations”. In point of fact, the historical narratives of national unity fulfill an integrative function, that reduces the level of existing differences. Consequently, this function is allowed the members of the nation to comprehend themselves as belonging to the “collective identity”. Hereby, political elites play a special role in the process of the national identity formation, as they have access to the most influential forms of public discourse, such as mass media, politics, science, education and state bureaucracy. And this means that they have “access to the consciousness” of the masses.

Keywords

• national identity
• political use of the past
• historical narrative
• political elites