Sparks and smouldering embers.
Ideological and symbolic frameworks of political change
in the discourse on fascism Cover Image

Pogorzelisko i zarzewie. Ideowe i symboliczne ramy zmiany politycznej w dyskursie o faszyzmie
Sparks and smouldering embers. Ideological and symbolic frameworks of political change in the discourse on fascism

Author(s): Magdalena Mikołajczyk
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Political Sciences, History and theory of political science
Published by: Wydział Nauk Politycznych i Studiów Międzynarodowych UW
Keywords: social change; discourse; concepts; ideas; fascism

Summary/Abstract: The ways in which various authors depict social and political changes through examples from the first half of the 20th century make the subject of this analysis. The discourse on fascism springs from often-used motifs or ideas that, even after being abandoned to oblivion, seem to resurface under a certain type of conditions. Publications that are re-issued on the topic, portray the beliefs, movements and events that preceded World War II in ways that appeal to the contemporary reader. They also propose a framework or cognitive structure that allows the readers to diagnose the current state of affairs. In particular, narratives showing coincidences, that is, the simultaneous concurrence of factors or events in the past and now, are used to demonstrate the similarity of contemporary and historical situations. The proposed framework allows us to understand the possible consequences of the economic crisis, structural inequalities, changes in communication and leadership styles. At the same time, this research explores how dwelling on these inhibits the creation of new concepts that more appropriately define the social and political realities of the 21st century.

  • Issue Year: 66/2022
  • Issue No: 66
  • Page Range: 36-60
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: Polish