Weaponizing the Past: Collective Memory and Jews, Poles, and Communists in Twenty-First Century Poland (Worlds of Memory, 11)

In Poland, contemporary political actors have constructed a narrative of Polish history since 1989 in which Polish and Jewish involvement with communism has created a national concept of “we.” __Weaponizing the Past__ explores the resulting implications of national belonging through a lens of collective memory. Taking a constructivist approach to electoral politics and nation making in Poland’s past, this volume’s dual line of inquiry articulates why and how elites politicize the past, what effect this politicization produces, and contextualizes this politicization to illustrate contemporary production of anti-Semitism. "In Poland, contemporary political actors have constructed a narrative of Polish history since 1989 in which Polish and Jewish involvement with communism has created a national concept of "we." Weaponizing the Past explores the resulting implications of national belonging through a lens of collective memory. Taking a constructivist approach to electoral politics and nation making in Poland's past, this volume's dual line of inquiry articulates why and how elites politicize the past, what effect this politicization produces, and contextualizes this politicization to illustrate contemporary production of anti-Semitism"-- Provided by publisher Contents List of Illustrations List of Abbreviations Acknowledgements Introduction Part I. Theory Chapter 1. Weaponizing the Past, or Memory as Politics Chapter 2. Theory Localized, or Dramatis Personae of Polish Politics Part II. Weaponizing the Past: The Case of Poland Chapter 3. The Patriots – Using Memory Openly and Belligerently Chapter 4. The Managers – Using Memory Covertly Chapter 5. The Liberals – Using Memory Defensively Chapter 6. The Objectors – Refusing Memory as Political Weapon Conclusion. Looking Beyond: Weaponizing the Past and a Populist Moment References Index