Collective Memory in Comparative Perspective: Germany and Russia
Collective Memory in Comparative Perspective: Germany and Russia

Summary/Abstract: The present study examines the complex relationship between collective memory and political identity in the European space, by highlighting the way in which historical violence shapes contemporary political behaviour as well as exploring the contrasting trajectories of Germany and Russia. Drawing on the case studies of post-war Germany and post-Soviet Russia, the essay argues that societies which address past acts of atrocity are able to establish durable frameworks for creating institutions governed by legal norms and democratic cultures that prevent the resurgence of political authoritarianism. Germany’s post-1945 trajectory, characterised by Vergangenheitsbewältigung, denazification and significant educational reforms, demonstrates how deliberate immersion in memory can foster democratic resilience. In contrast, Russia’s selective memory and failure to hold itself publicly accountable for historical violence have facilitated the persistence of imperial narratives and ongoing territorial ambitions.The research incorporates the collective memory theories of Maurice Halbwachs and Jan Assmann along with the civilisational thinking of Nikolai Danilevskii and Oswald Spengler, illustrating ways in which memory can either constrain or legitimise political power. The study concludes that memory becomes politically constructive only when it is acknowledged, contextualised and translated into ethical and institutional accountability, drawing lessons for contemporary European security and identity formation.

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