Nation-building as a Communist "Rational Planning Strategy" Subverted by Local Narratives.The Case of Identity Politics in Cieszyn Silesia
Nation-building as a Communist "Rational Planning Strategy" Subverted by Local Narratives.The Case of Identity Politics in Cieszyn Silesia

Summary/Abstract: Following Zygmunt Bauman’s view, one can claim that communism, or the so-called real socialism, was thoroughly modern in its passionate conviction that a good society can only be carefully designated, rationally managed and thoroughly industrialized. As a result, in an attempt to “out-modernize the modernizers” the rulers of state-socialist countries tended to introduce pseudo-scientific solutions and centrally planned endeavours also in the domain of the identity politics. In this connection, this paper aims to examine the nation-building project grounded in the ideologically-saturated social scientific discourse during the communist past in Poland as contested by local narratives. The case of the community of Cieszyn Silesia will be discussed in the context of its struggles against an illusion of monolithic national culture. The significance of the local knowledge (especially the narratives about the local history) in challenging the official version of national homogeneous culture and strengthening the bonds of the local solidarities and loyalties will be emphasized.

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