Scholarly record
DECLINE AND COLLAPSE AS THE WAY TO RESURGENCE: CULTURAL PESSIMISM IN THE LIFE STORIES, ATTITUDES AND PLANS OF ELITES OF RIGHT-WING EXTREMIST SCENE
Abstract
Cultural pessimism is one of the typical features of right-wing political extremism. It plays also a pivotal role in the research presented here which was focused on the construction of identity of activists from the extremist scene in Central Europe. A method used in the research was a narrative interview with leaders of extremist movements and parties in Central Europe. Narrators were telling their life stories and then were asked, how they reflect contemporary society. In telling their life stories narrators showed their conviction that contemporary society, nation and Western ivilization (they defined it mostly by race) entered a trajectory of decline. It is manifested in the decline of morality, civic inactivity, domination of egoism, low natality etc. On the other hand they perceived this decadence as a way to the resurgence and as an opportunity for genesis of a new civilization based on attitudes and values which narrators found to be good and true. This paper presents the concept of cultural pessimism as threat and hope. It compares the specifics of cultural pessimism in rendition of the extremist scene with sociological data and scientific theories of civilization. Because cultural pessimism is typical not only for the extremist scene, but also is spread in the general population of postmodern society (especially after experiencing the economic crisis), it deserves paying attention. Analysis of the interviews focused on cultural pessimism revealed not only its specifics in perspective of extremist scene and importance of cultural pessimism in the construction of narrator's identity, but also its mobilization potential.
Publication Impact Profile
- Captures
- Mendeley - Readers: 1
Publication details
ReferencesPending
Structured references will appear here after the reference import pass. The count is preserved now so the scholarly record is not incomplete.
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.
