Mitologia amerykańskiej demokracji – symboliczny fundament więzi społeczno-politycznych w Stanach Zjednoczonych
The mythology of American democracy – the symbolic foundation of socio-political ties in the United States

Author(s): Bohdan M. Szklarski
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Political Theory, Political Sciences, Security and defense
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: myths; symbols; politics; magical thinking; ideology; legitimacy; idealism
Summary/Abstract: American political mythology is viewed here from a functional perspective – as one of the elements legitimising the political system. In compound societies, the primary function of political mythology and accompanying political rituals, as components of symbolic politics, is to contribute to constructing the political community. The power of political mythology stems from the human preponderance to engage in magical thinking as a product of certain socio-economic circumstances. The text presents a typology of political myths in relation to the character of democracy, shows their relevance to critical political institutions and practices, and explains the role they play in legitimising the American political system.

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