Political Kitsch and Myth-Making Consciousness
Political Kitsch and Myth-Making Consciousness

Summary/Abstract: From the sociological and historical point of view, political consciousness has always been in close vicinity to the mythic one. Moreover, politics has often affected the process of revival and shaping of the mythic consciousness. On the other hand, myths have also had a creative role in directing the politics of particular societies and historical epochs. This coupling of politics and myth, in a context which is mostly negative, is more than actual today. The societies in transition, such as the Serbian one, are firmly gripped by politically distorted myths. Thus myths are becoming a vile weapon in the hands of an authoritarian or insufficiently democratic government. Under such circumstances, politics and political opinion become means of lies and cheap propaganda. The ruling structures abuse the tradition and myths for the sake of winning the power or their survival on the political stage at any cost. Pseudoculture and kitsch are the very foundations from which politicians, with the help of the distorted myths, can disseminate lies and empty promises. It is upon these theoretical assumptions that the author of this paper bases his commentaries about kitsch culture of the contemporary Serbian society and its historical roots.

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