W kręgu wyobrażeń zbiorowych. Polityka, władza, społeczeństwo
Myths and Stereotypes in the Collective
Representations
Contributor(s): Andrzej Dubicki (Editor), Magdalena Rekść (Editor), Andrzej Sepkowski (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, History, Philosophy, Social Sciences, Economy, Political Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Sociology, Political history, Social history, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: political myths;stereotypes;collective memory;collective identity;collective representations;utopias
Summary/Abstract: This work is a collection of articles written by representatives of various social sciences whose filed of interest lies within such categories as: collective representations, collective memory, collective identity, myths and stereotypes. Politics should be seen as the common denominator for this broad spectrum of issues raised in this publication as it lies in the centre of the attention of each and every author who contributed to this work. The variety of interests and research orientations corresponds with today’s postulates of sharing interdisciplinary reflections on complex and complicated issues – the issues discussed in this monograph should be considered as such. The first texts in this work are strictly theoretical and deal with: an attempt to categorize the collective representations; an analyses of the the anthroposphere of our days and the return of the “enlightened” man, but not in the understanding of Immanuel Kant; the approximation of the contents and forms of utopia – the utopia of thought and the utopia of deed, which seem to begin to reappear in the political thought of some circles. The majority of texts found in this work refers to the case study, analyses the myths, stereotypes, collective memory and the collective identity of different societies: Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Chinese, North Korean and that of former Yugoslavia. The originality of this work is strengthened by the studies devoted to the rare research ideas such as the importance of myths in sport’s diplomacy. It seems that such a broad spectrum of themes focused on the topic issues creates an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the collective spaces.
- E-ISBN-13: 978-83-8088-951-4
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-83-8088-950-7
- Page Count: 368
- Publication Year: 2019
- Language: English, Polish
Wyobrażenia zbiorowe – próba kategoryzacji pojęcia
Wyobrażenia zbiorowe – próba kategoryzacji pojęcia
(Collective Representations: an Attempt to Categorize the Concept)
- Author(s):Magdalena Rekść
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History, Philosophy, Social Sciences
- Page Range:9-31
- No. of Pages:23
- Keywords:collective representations;collective memory;myths;stereotypes;collective identity
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of the text is to define and examine the concept of collective representations which was introduced by Émile Durkheim many years ago, but since that not many scholars have brightly analysed it. According to the author, collective representations can be described as the system of following elements: myths and stereotypes, collective memory, collective identity, axio-normative system (including culture and religion) and collective emotions. All the elements mentioned aboveThe aim of the text is to define and examine the concept of collective representations which was introduced by Émile Durkheim many years ago, but since that not many scholars have brightly analysed it. According to the author, collective representations can be described as the system of following elements: myths and stereotypes, collective memory, collective identity, axio-normative system (including culture and religion) and collective emotions. All the elements mentioned above are related to each other, so one can say that the system constantly works. That is why collective representations are not constant, they regularly evolve according to political atmosphere and ideological context.
Dlaczego Zachód wymiera? Oświeceniowe źródła trendów antypopulacyjnych. Wzorce konsumpcji, samorealizacji i zbawienia w doczesności
Dlaczego Zachód wymiera? Oświeceniowe źródła trendów antypopulacyjnych. Wzorce konsumpcji, samorealizacji i zbawienia w doczesności
(Why is the West Dying? The Age of Reason Sources of the Antipopulation Trends. Patterns of Consumption, Self-realization and Salvation in Worldliness.)
- Author(s):Konrad Hennig
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Philosophy, Social Sciences
- Page Range:33-47
- No. of Pages:15
- Keywords:consumerism;self-realization;demography;crisis of the West;civilization;enlightenment;anthropology
- Summary/Abstract:The western societies are shrinking and getting older. These demographical processes have roots in civilizational solutions explored and imposed by the revolutionaries of Enlightenment. The cultural patterns created by the 18th century philosophers are still and continuously actual. The set of modern and postmodern ideas including consumerism, self-realization and salvation during mortal life are the core reasons of demographical problems of western societies. People aren’t eager to have families and children. They perceive the traditional way of life as a personal sacrifice. They feel a strong need to devote themselves to their own desires and joys. People live their lives as they were to be the last generation of their nations and seem not to be worried or even concerned by that fact.
Korzenie utopii
Korzenie utopii
(The Roots of Utopia)
- Author(s):Andrzej Sepkowski
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Philosophy, Social Sciences, Theology and Religion
- Page Range:49-71
- No. of Pages:23
- Keywords:utopia;millenarianism;ideal worlds
- Summary/Abstract:“Ideology” of utopia is an abstraction of the methaphoric system of beliefs, values and institutional relationship that characterize a particular culture or society; mythology is the body of traditional narratives that exemplifies and historicized ideology. Myths are stories drawn from history, that have acquired through usage over many generations a symbol¬izing function central to the culture of the society that produces them. The language of myth assimilates the peculiar and contingent phenomena of secular history to archetypal patterns of growth and decay, salvation and damnation, death and rebirth. So formulated myths support that by understanding and imaginatively reenacting the conflict resolution of the past, we can interpret and control the unresolved conflicts of the present. The belief in ideal (utopistic) worlds is one of the oldest and most enduring patterns in we¬stern civilization. The idea that human history is divinely ordained and will lead to a period of heavenly perfection on earth can be dated at least as far back as the early prophecies. The search for salvation on earth is an obviously important component of the quest from ancient to our times. Its obvious, that every nation experiences its own fears and hopes and every tries to habituate them. Every nation needs a vision of utopia.
„Gościńce trwałe i wieczne” zamiast „olbrzymich głazów samotnych”: neorealizm w myśli politycznej Prawa i Sprawiedliwości
„Gościńce trwałe i wieczne” zamiast „olbrzymich głazów
samotnych”: neorealizm w myśli politycznej Prawa
i Sprawiedliwości
(“Long-lasting and Eternal Roads” Instead of “Huge Lonely Boulders”: Neo-realism in the Political Thought of Law and Justice Party.)
- Author(s):Waldemar Paruch
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Social Sciences
- Page Range:73-93
- No. of Pages:21
- Keywords:political thought;political parties;Law and Justice party;international relations
- Summary/Abstract:The article is the analysis of Law and Justice party, perceived as neorealistic (as opposed to neoliberalism). The argument between neorealists– neoliberals implied polarisation, concentration, political mobilisation in Poland. The adversary of Law and Justice is Civic Platform – a neoliberal party. In theoretical background the subject of the competition is realism. The choice of the means to achieve goals is based on historic, cultural and geopolitical analysis. For Civic Platform realism is based on the adjustment of means for the political disposal. In the article four dimensions were analysed: cognitive, conceptual, axiological and programmatic. One of the most important consequence of realism for Law and Justice party is hard politics visible in international affairs.
Podmiotowość istoty ludzkiej w procesie rozwoju i transformacji – refleksja historiozoficzna
Podmiotowość istoty ludzkiej w procesie rozwoju
i transformacji – refleksja historiozoficzna
(The Subjectivity of the Human Being in the Process of Development and Transformation – a Historiosophical Reflection.)
- Author(s):Jerzy Kmieciński
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Philosophy, Social Sciences
- Page Range:95-105
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:human origins;philosophy;abstract art;values;human subjectivity
- Summary/Abstract:The article deals with one of the most important questions in the history of humanity: why we are here. The author provides a wide overview of the evolution of human thought around the issue of our origins. We continuously have been asking ourselves the same question throughout our history, but it lead us to different conclusions. The essence of life is inseparably linked with the reason of our existence. The effect of which is visible not only in philosophy or sociology, but also in arts. While philosophy tries to describe this essence by thought, art tries to describe it by form and shape. While there is no philosophy without relation to the genesis of humanity, there is no art without emotions. This is why the humans are so curious to discover the past both by thought and form. We simply try to answer this one particular prehistoric question.
Polsko-czeska pamięć historyczna a przełomowe momenty wspólnych dziejów
Polsko-czeska pamięć historyczna a przełomowe momenty wspólnych dziejów
(Polish–Czech Historical Memory and the Groundbreaking Moments of Common History)
- Author(s):Szymon Wierzbiński
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History, Social Sciences
- Page Range:107-128
- No. of Pages:22
- Keywords:collective memory;historical policy;history;sociology
- Summary/Abstract:It is not a secret that Czech nation played important role in Polish history. What is most striking, however, our southern neighbour do not occupy key position in Polish collective memory. It is worth considering why both nations are not closely integrated despite joint participation in so many seminal moments of history. In the first part of this paper I will aim at defining key events that shaped Czech collective memory. Next, I will make an at-tempt to answer why in some of these Polish and Czech people retained divergent visions of the past. Finally, I will try to point to some attempts undertaken by both nations in order to bridge the gaps in collective memory.
Rys historiograficzny dekady gierkowskiej. Przyczynek do problematyki polskiego piśmiennictwa historycznego na temat lat 70. XX wieku w Polsce
Rys historiograficzny dekady gierkowskiej. Przyczynek do problematyki polskiego piśmiennictwa historycznego na temat lat 70. XX wieku w Polsce
(A Historiographical Sketch of the Gierek's Decade. A Contribution to the Issues of Polish Historical Literature about the 1970s in Poland)
- Author(s):Radoslaw Domke
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History, Social Sciences
- Page Range:129-144
- No. of Pages:16
- Keywords:Edward Gierek;1970s;PRL;historiography
- Summary/Abstract:In article I am trying to summarise polish historiography about Gierek’s decade. Since the end of this period only 35 years have passed, but even now we can define some plots on that field. Historical literature upon that thing can be divided into four periods. In some of them we can find more or less critical discourses. The paper help us figure out which was dominant in current period. In that way we can recapitulate how was seen „the decade of accelarated development” in polish historiography, was it a „paradise”, or opposite.
Przemianowywanie ulic w Polsce 1989–2016. Charakterystyka zagadnienia
Przemianowywanie ulic w Polsce 1989–2016. Charakterystyka zagadnienia
(Renaming the Streets in Poland between 1989 and 2016. Problem Characteristics)
- Author(s):Bartłomiej Różycki
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History, Social Sciences
- Page Range:145-172
- No. of Pages:28
- Keywords:communist Poland;contemporary Poland;street names;symbols;cultural landscape
- Summary/Abstract:This paper discusses the subject of politically related street names which were introduced in Poland by the communist regime, as well as the attitude towards them in contemporary democracy. After World War II urban toponomy was widely used in Poland as a mean of ideological persuasion, commemorating persons, events and values related to the communism. The goal of such actions was to demonstrate communist domination and to shape social attitudes of obedience and acceptance of the existing order. During and after the democratic transition of 1989, street names related to the communism were massively removed, although many of them remained in the public sphere, especially if they survived the climax of symbolical decommunization of 1990. In this paper the most important aspects of the renaming process are discussed: political actors involved and relations between them (including recent intention of the central government to dominate this process, formerly belonging to the exclusive competence of the local authorities), arguments for and against streets renaming, most common trends regarding introducing new names, eventually controversies which arise in the process, especially concerning patrons whose relation with the communist ideology may be questioned. Additionally, results of a quantitative analysis are presented in order to examine the difference among various regions of Poland regarding tolerance towards still existing communist toponomy, which brings interesting results concerning former German lands, so called “Recovered Territories”, which seem to have incorporated the communist heritage into their identity in a much bigger degree than other parts of the country.
Iluzje fiskalne
Iluzje fiskalne
(Fiscal Illusions)
- Author(s):Jerzy Bartkowski
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Economy
- Page Range:173-193
- No. of Pages:21
- Keywords:fiscal illusion;public finance
- Summary/Abstract:Scholars working with public finance introduced a term fiscal illusions (James Buchanan). They are social stereotypes dealing with the matter of public finance: spendings and rev¬enues. They result in strong pressure on public spendings. They are perceived separately from each other, especially spendings from revenues. They are very important socially and politically. They can be easily mobilized by political populists. Fiscal illusion are not myths because of lacking narrative elements. Though they are similar to them with their function of legitimize some social beliefs and their close relations to social values, and especially – to social justice. Fiscal illusions tend to direct fiscalism onto social groups of higher so¬cial status and to make taxation a mean of social redistribution not economic growth. The emergence and persistence of the fiscal illusion confirm the strength of political myths. They are able to penetrate even such a rational and calculable area as public finance.
Istota jej odmienna zgoła… O Tiutczewowskiej formule-micie rosyjskości i Rosji
Istota jej odmienna zgoła… O Tiutczewowskiej formule-micie rosyjskości i Rosji
(It's Essence is Completely Different... About Tyutchev's Formula-Myth about Russianness and Russia)
- Author(s):Marian Broda
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History, Philosophy, Social Sciences
- Page Range:195-207
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:Fyodor Tyutchev;formula-myth;Russianhood;Russia;“soul”;“soul of the world”;vision;imperialness
- Summary/Abstract:According to the canonical, for the Russian cultural tradition and the communal consciousness of the Russians, poetic formula presented by Fyodor Tiutchev, Russia is – unlike all the other countries, inexplicable in the notions of profane knowledge – the sacred Reality. As Wladimir Soloviev appropriately recognized the nature of the accompanying conceptualization the world, it assumes, expresses and explains the understanding of Russianhood and Russia in terms of a “soul” and the “soul of the world.” In turn, according to the identification-diagnosis by Andrzej Walicki, we are dealing here with “Tyutchev’s imperial vision,” which, please note, confirms both the content articulated by the poet in the poem On the Taking of Warsaw as well as his apoetical political texts. In the theoretical perspective, co-created by both of these interpretative methods, it is worth looking into the mythical content and implications of the analysed vision of Russianhood and Russia as well as the mental-social basis, and the consequences, of its still lasting vitality.
„Idea rosyjska” w ideologii Putina
„Idea rosyjska” w ideologii Putina
(“The Russian Idea” in Putins Ideology)
- Author(s):Andrzej de Lazari
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History
- Page Range:209-217
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:Russian idea;Putin;Dostoevsky;Solzhenitsyn
- Summary/Abstract:It was Fedor Dostoevskii who introduced the category of “Russian idea” into ideological discussion. Today the category is again in its heyday in Russian nationalism and appears even in Vladimir Putin’s statements. Some believe that Putin puts Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s concept into practice. In my text I attempt to question this stance
Rosyjscy dziennikarze: radykalizacja przestrzeni wirtualnej
Rosyjscy dziennikarze: radykalizacja przestrzeni
wirtualnej
(Russian Journalists: Radicalization of Virtual Space)
- Author(s):Jan Morawicki
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Social Sciences
- Page Range:219-233
- No. of Pages:15
- Keywords:Russia;journalism;social media;journalists;strategies in the journalists;authoritarian regime
- Summary/Abstract:Journalism in Russia faces not only a problem of co-existence with an authoritarian re¬gime. Intense changes within distribution of information (growth of popularity of social media, common access to video and sound recording devices, problem of fact-checking) lead to – in conditions of the present political situation – forming of specific strategies in the journalists’ behavior in the visual space, so that arises the matter of characteristic fea¬tures of alterations within the following relations: employee–employer, journalist–receiver, journalist–journalist, journalist–state
Pokój z Iwanem. Rosja jako siła opatrznościowa w propagandzie Państw Centralnych doby Wielkiej Wojny
Pokój z Iwanem. Rosja jako siła opatrznościowa w propagandzie Państw Centralnych doby Wielkiej Wojny
(Russia as a Providential Force in the Propaganda of the Central States during the Great War)
- Author(s):Magdalena Żakowska
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History
- Page Range:235-252
- No. of Pages:18
- Keywords:Russia;Central Powers;revolution;peace;propaganda;World War I
- Summary/Abstract:The purpose of this article is to trace the ambiguous images of Russia which had been presented after October Revolution in propaganda of Central Powers. Because of the Bol-sheviks’ peace slogans this country suddenly became the most desired ally of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. The autor aims to answer the following questions: – Which narratives connected to Russia did dominate in German society in 1917–1918? – To which extent were they similar and in which different from the leading narratives in such countries as Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria? – What was the background of the mentioned narratives and images? The author distinguished two major motifs connected to the image of Russia as a kind of providential force: 1) of Russia-the-Saviour (as an exemplification of the myth of “Grandpa Ivan“), 2) of Russia-a-fighter-for-peace (as a continuation of the myth of Russian Revolution).
Leksikon YU mitologije – fenomeny jugosłowiańskiej kultury popularnej i ich „życie po życiu”
Leksikon YU mitologije – fenomeny jugosłowiańskiej kultury popularnej i ich „życie po życiu”
(Leksikon YU mitologije – The Phenomena of Yugoslavian Popular Culture and their “Second Life”)
- Author(s):Wojciech Szczepański
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Fine Arts / Performing Arts
- Page Range:253-278
- No. of Pages:26
- Keywords:Lexicon of YU mythology;Yugoslavia;popular culture;communism;myths;symbols;memory;yugo-nostalgia
- Summary/Abstract: For some time now Poles seem to be increasingly more interested in the Yugoslav popular culture which has thus been gaining its own experts as well as lovers in Poland. It is undoubtedly associated with the development of studies in fields such as (Southern) Slavonic and Balkan Philology as well as with increasing historical, politological, ethnological and anthropological research into the past and present of the post-Slavic area, including cultural, social and political issues. Leksikon YU mitologije (The Lexicon of YU mythology), published in 2005 in Serbian (Belgrade) and distributed more widely in Croatia, is a unique work in the field of cataloging and recognizing phenomena of popular culture of Yugoslavia. This impressive book edited by Iris Adrić, Vladimir Arsenijević and Djordje Matić several years after the break-up of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) is the result of work of many professional lexicographers and even a larger group of amateur lexicographers representing different nationalities. It is also the realisation of a design of Dubravka Ugrešić, Dejan Kršić and Ivan Molek dating back to 1989, a few years before the fall of SFRY. The thoughts on some of the content contained in lexicon is to provide not only an opportunity to look at the selected phenomena of popular Yugoslav culture in the communist period. It is also intended as a contribution to reflection and discussion on the relationship of these phenomena with the identity of the Yugoslavs over their current functioning, hence “life after life”), and finally on the determinants of the process of the creation of certain specific images of collective memory, among which one should mention “yugonostalgia”, which is one of the most important imperatives of participation of many authors of the lexicon
Badania nad stereotypem Chińczyka, czyli jak Polacy postrzegają przedstawicieli Państwa Środka
Badania nad stereotypem Chińczyka, czyli jak Polacy postrzegają przedstawicieli Państwa Środka
(Research on the Stereotype of a Chinese or How Chinese are Seen by Poles)
- Author(s):Katarzyna Grabowska
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Social Sciences
- Page Range:279-291
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:national stereotypes,Chinese;research in Poland;image of Chinese
- Summary/Abstract:In international relations national stereotypes play a very crucial role. Since they have an influence on our subconscious level, they also decide about our sympathy or antipathy to¬ward individual nations. Fields, German, Russian, Chinese etc. stereotypes make us project images which are built on the vision of a nation that was inherited by us in the process of growing up in a particular cultural environment. Based on research conducted in Poland and as well as my own research survey I will pre¬sent how the eyes of Poles are presented by the Chinese
Ideologie dżucze jako element silnie oddziałujący na społeczeństwo w Korei Północnej
Ideologie dżucze jako element silnie oddziałujący na społeczeństwo w Korei Północnej
(Juche Ideology as an Element Strongly Affecting the Society in North Korea)
- Author(s):Dominik Wróblewski
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History, Social Sciences
- Page Range:293-306
- No. of Pages:14
- Keywords:juche;juche society;Confucianism
- Summary/Abstract:The Juche ideology, despite political and economic aspects, has influenced socio-cultural aspect in North Korea. Kim Il Sung’s doctrine is an important factor that strongly unites state’s inhabitants. North Korean society, which can be called juche society, was formed on solid foundations that have historical and doctrinal conditions. Furthermore, juche’ function is to mobilize and integrate North Korean society. It is also an inspiration to community activity. It provides entity’s progress but under collective. Additionally, North Korean society shows thinking due to juche ideology. The purpose of this publication is to show juche as an important factor that influences and unites North Korean society
Relacje polsko-ukraińskie jako czynnik warunkujący tożsamość lwowian
Relacje polsko-ukraińskie jako czynnik warunkujący
tożsamość lwowian
(Polish-Ukrainian Relations as a Factor Conditioning the Identity of Lviv)
- Author(s):Nataliya Melnyk
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History, Social Sciences
- Page Range:307-318
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:identification;regional identity;myth;collective memory;European identity
- Summary/Abstract:The article addresses the problem of shaping the centuries-long relationship between Polish people and Ukrainians from Galicia, and discusses the factors influencing the process of shaping the national identity of the inhabitants of Lvov. The publication underlines the historical and ethnic backgrounds influencing the people living in Lvov region and in Lvov itself. The article also refers to the issue of identifying Lvov residents as Europeans. The author of the article also highlighted obstacles preventing the creation of solid foundation between the inhabitants of Lvov to build a common regional identity despite centuries of co-existence. The destabilizing elements were primarily claims to the same territory. Despite the complicated history, there is one common feature of the Lvov residents which has been preserved – as the author of the article points out – namely, their European identity. This belief has risen to the rank of myth. The article has made a synthetic analysis of the mutual relationship between Polish people and Ukrainians from the 15th century up to the present day, taking into account the influence of elements of collective memory. The current relations between the two nations are relatively well formed. After joining the EU, Poland acts as a Ukrainian supporter, regularly defending its interests. This, as well as the Orange Revolution, Euro 2012 and the Revolution of Dignity contributed to the untightened relations between these two nations. However, despite these positive actions in common relations, the attitude of a decisive part of the intellectual elite of modern Lvov residents is more and more influenced by the mythology of the multiculturalism of this city and its membership “ever since” to Europe, with the dominant Ukrainian language, and simultaneous marginalization of thousand years of belonging to the Polish state, which in effect creates a fake image of the city and its inhabitants
Mit dyplomacji pingpongowej w świetle przyszłych prób wykorzystania sportu w celu kreacji zbliżenia międzynarodowego
Mit dyplomacji pingpongowej w świetle przyszłych prób wykorzystania sportu w celu kreacji zbliżenia międzynarodowego
(The Myth of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy in the Light of Future Attempts to Use Sport to Create International Convergence)
- Author(s):Michał Marcin Kobierecki
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History
- Page Range:319-338
- No. of Pages:20
- Keywords:sports diplomacy;nation’s brand;sport;public diplomacy
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of the article is to investigate the ways of using sport in order to shape international brand of a state. Accordingly, various forms of shaping state’s international image with the use of sports diplomacy have been analyzed and shortly described – within the proposed typology. An attempt to verify a hypothesis concerning sports diplomacy as a significant tool of shaping state’s international brand was also made
Żydowska Koncepcja Przymierza w ujęciu Maxa Webera
Żydowska Koncepcja Przymierza w ujęciu Maxa Webera
(The Jewish Concept of the Covenant According to Max Weber)
- Author(s):Lucyna Chmielewska
- Language:English, Polish
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, History, Philosophy, Social Sciences
- Page Range:339-365
- No. of Pages:27
- Keywords:covenant;Israel;Yahweh;tribal union;ethics;rationalization
- Summary/Abstract:In Max Weber’s interpretation, the covenant was a political instrument of the Israelites. In Weber’s view, the original goal of the Sinai covenant was the political goal – strengthening the defense force of scattered Israeli tribes, and within the tribes it gave the durability of socio-economic relations between social groups, mainly between shepherds of small herds and a farmers or a city military patriciate owning land. The covenant had a defensive character with regard to the tribal union and socio-political character in terms of intertribal relations. Israel was developing and gaining its specific character as a cult and military union based on free shepherds and farmers, uniting during the wars against enemies. In the later age of prophets, the covenant became a catalyst for the process of rationalizing and ethicizing the Jewish religion. This process was, therefore, a consequence of the development of the political consciousness of the Israelites, expressed in the form of the covenant with Yahweh
