Modernization of the masses. Political moment and National-Democratic political discourse in the 1905–1907 Revolution Cover Image

Modernizacja mas. Moment polityczny i dyskurs endecji w okresie rewolucji 1905-1907
Modernization of the masses. Political moment and National-Democratic political discourse in the 1905–1907 Revolution

Author(s): Wiktor Marzec
Subject(s): History, Political history, Recent History (1900 till today), Pre-WW I & WW I (1900 -1919)
Published by: Uniwersytet Adama Mickiewicza
Keywords: Endeks; National Democracy; 1905 Revolution; the masses; discourse of modernity; conjuncture; political moment

Summary/Abstract: The article examines a change in Polish National Democratic (Nationalist) political discourse accompanying the 1905 Revolution. In particular, I scrutinize the change in the conceptualization of “the masses”. I consider a particular vision of the modernization of the masses as a form of discourse of modernity. Thus, I see it as a reaction to the indeterminacy of the social inadequacy of existing political institutions and discourses and the rapid widening of actual political participation. I argue that specific conjuncture between lineages of political thinking and social processes created a tipping point: a political moment or crisis. A particular answer for this moment – in this case an organic, hierarchic discourse of community and the envisioned whole of disciplined masses under the nationalistic control – defined the forthcoming shape of the National Democratic program. This resulted in long lasting consequences and defined the overall National Democratic project.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 13
  • Page Range: 99-132
  • Page Count: 34
  • Language: Polish