Traumatic Memory and Its Production in Political Life: A Survey of Approaches and a Case Study (original) (raw)

Recent works on memory in International Studies highlight the relationship between memory (especially traumatic memory) and power, thus revealing the crucial importance of memory in political life. These works raise questions about the production of memory, understood (following Jenny Edkins) as a social performative practice with political and social implications. How does the process of memory production take place? Who takes part in this process, where, when and how? Drawing on political studies, and on anthropological, sociological and psychological perspectives, the goal of this paper is to survey the body of literature addressing the political processes associated with memory production in international relations and within states. One of the main assertions in this body of literature is that because of their intensity and emotional appeal, traumatic memory and its invocation are especially important in power relations, both at the international and domestic levels. Therefore, it becomes important to identify memory entrepreneurs-political actors who invoke memories for political gainand understand their strategies, especially in constructing traumatic memory.