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Social Theory: Collective Memory

Social Theory: Collective Memory. Bin Xu Assistant Professor of Sociology and Asian Studies Florida International University. Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past. George Orwell, 1984. Who controls the past controls the future.

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Social Theory: Collective Memory

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  1. Social Theory: Collective Memory Bin Xu Assistant Professor of Sociology and Asian Studies Florida International University

  2. Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.

  3. George Orwell, 1984 Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.

  4. MEMORY DYSTOPIA

  5. PRESENTISM • A mild and reasonable version of 1984. • Who controls the past controls the future. • Who controls the present controls the past.

  6. Presentism: Major Arguments • The past is molded to suit present dominant interests • (Some)“Traditions” are invented. • Memory/reputational entrepreneurs

  7. Hobsbawm: Invention of Tradition • Definition • Social conditions

  8. Hobsbawm: Invention of Tradition • Three types of invented traditions • Methods: narratives, rituals, symbolism, cultural objects that embody the symbols

  9. Case: Mass-Producing Traditions: Europe, 1870-1914 • Old things are actually quite new: mostly in the priod of 1870-1914 • State’s invention of political tradition • Political movements’ invention of tradition • Invention of social tradition

  10. Case: Mass-Producing Traditions: Europe, 1870-1914 • States’ invention of tradition • States’ legitimacy concern • Methods: • Education • Ceremonies • Monuments • Symbolism

  11. Case: Mass-Producing Traditions: Europe, 1870-1914 • Political movements’ invention of traditions • Case: May Day (International Workers’ Day, Labor Day, etc.) • Exceptions: US&UK • New trend in US: Undocumented immigrant workers’ demonstrations in recent years

  12. Case: Mass-Producing Traditions: Europe, 1870-1914 • Social classes and invention of tradition • Working class and football • Middle class: education, fraternity, middle-class sport • The FA Cup

  13. Social classes and invention of tradition • The Davis Cup

  14. Gary Alan Fine: Harding’s Reputation and Entrepreneurs • Reputational entrepreneur (an individual-based explanation) • Successful entrepreneurs • Self-interest • Narrative clarity • Position

  15. Michel Foucault (1926-1984) A sketch of Foucault’s thoughts Centrality of sex Power-knowledge

  16. Power-Knowledge and Counter-Memory • Power-knowledge (the hyphen is important): • Power produces knowledge; knowledge produces power. • Discipline and Punish and discipline as in “academic discipline” • Subjugated knowledge/counter memory Panopticon

  17. Popular Memory • The Popular Memory Group • History and/as memory • “Field of public representations of the past”: dominant memory and popular memory

  18. Popular Memory • Popular memory as political practice • Oral history as an example: • As “subjugated knowledge”: “authentic” and “true” • Still influenced by the present.

  19. How does presentism speak to Schwartz’s cultural system theory? • Model of the society? Or Model for the Society? • Problems?

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