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E-book
Author Bekus, Nelly

Title Struggle over Identity : the official and the alternative "Belarusianness" / Nelly Bekus
Published Budapest ; New York : CEU Press, ©2010

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Description 1 online resource (306 pages)
Contents pt. 1. Nation in theory -- Nation-formation strategies in contemporary nation-studies -- State and nation -- Nationalism, capitalism, liberalism : the East European perspective -- Nationalism and socialism : the Soviet case -- pt. 2. The rise and development of the Belarusian national idea -- The first Belarusian nationalist movement : between national and class interests -- Byelorussian republic within the Soviet state -- Post-Soviet conditions for independence -- pt. 3. Belarusian post-communism -- The election of the first Belarusian president as a mirror of Belarusian preferences -- "Labels" of the Belarusian regime -- "Triple transformation" and Belarus -- Prerequisites of democratization and authoritarianism in Belarus -- pt. 4. Arguments and paradoxes of weak Belarusian identity -- Belarus as an example of national and democratic failure -- The Russian factor in Belarusian self-perception -- The paradox of "national pride" -- Paradoxes of political and linguistic Russification -- Lack of religious basis for national unity -- pt. 5. The struggle over identity -- Two ideas of "Belarusianness" in place of "sole" national idea -- Belarusian-specific nature of the public sphere : invisible wall -- Belarusian tradition : the alternative and official historical narrations -- Political discourses of alternative Belarusianness -- National ideology of the Belarusian state as a political articulation of official Belarusianness -- pt. 6. Cultural manifestation versus social reification -- Two Belarusian approaches to the politics of identity -- "The Belarusian globe" : an encyclopedia of what existed before communism -- Belarusian National Film Misterium occupation : distancing themselves from Soviets and Russians -- Free theater : alternative Belarusianness on the stage -- Independent rock music : critical reflection and protest -- Medieval reenactors : a manifestation of Belarus's European history -- The official politics of identity : social reification strategy
Summary The monograph describes how the ethno-symbolic nation of the Belarusian nationalists, based on the cultural capital of the Golden Age of the Belarusian past (17th century) competes with the ̀€nation' institutionalized and reified by the numerous civic rituals and social practices under the auspices of the actual post-Soviet Belarusian state
Comparing the two concepts not only provides understanding of the logic that dominates Belarusian society's self-description models, but also enables us to evaluate the chances of alternative Belarusianness to win this unequal struggle over identity
"Nelly Bekus' book adds appreciably to the debate about Belarusian identity. Her highly original and thoughtful study enhances our current understanding of the contemporary state led by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka since 1994. Provocative and yet dispassionate, the book should appeal to all interested in nation building two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union." David R. Marples, Distinguished University Professor, University of Alberta, Canada --Book Jacket
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes English
Print version record
Subject National characteristics, Belarusian.
Nationalism -- Belarus
Political culture -- Belarus
Post-communism -- Social aspects -- Belarus
Belarusians.
HISTORY.
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Political Ideologies -- Nationalism & Patriotism.
Belarusians
National characteristics, Belarusian
Nationalism
Political culture
Politics and government
Post-communism -- Social aspects
Social conditions
SUBJECT Belarus -- Social conditions. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2006001087
Belarus -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh92006577
Subject Belarus
Form Electronic book
LC no. 2010008736
ISBN 9781441658142
1441658149
9786155211843
6155211841
9639776688
9789639776685
1283248387
9781283248389
2821815190
9782821815193
9786613248381
661324838X