Myth, Identity, and Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of Romanian and Serbian Textbooks

Razboiul hartilor si mitologiile competitive au facut si inca mai fac ravagii in Europa de Rasarit si nu doar acolo. A aparut la Lexington Books din cadrul editurii Rowman & Littlefield cartea semnata de Anamaria Dutceac Segesten pe tema atat de actuala a relatiei dintre mit politic, identitate si conflict in lumea post-comunista, cu privire speciala asupra manualelor de istorie din Romania si Serbia.

Absolventa a Facultatii de Stiinte Politice a Universitatii din Bucuresti, Anamaria sustinut un remacabil doctorat la Universitatea Maryland (am fost conducatorul stiintific al tezei), a predat la Universitatea din Lund si este in prezent postdoctoral fellow la Centrul de Studii Moderne Europene al Universitatii din Copenhaga. Este vorba de o lucrare curajoasa, lucida, incitanta si splendid documentata, bazata pe o solida cercetare empirica si pe analize de continut, menita sa lumineze raporturile dintre mit politic, identitati colective, educatie  si conflict. Se propune o perspectiva originala asupra optiunilor valorice, sedimentate in discursuri educationale, dintr-o regiune a Europei in care atatea rani ale trecutului raman inca deschise. Autoarea exploreaza persistenta miturilor auto-glorificatoare, redemptive si salvationiste dar si si eforturile de a oferi naratiuni istoriografice oneste, concordante cu adevarurile factuale. Este o carte necesara care demonstreaza ca trecutul nu este o alta tara.

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780739148655

 

“Myth, Identity, and Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of Romanian and Serbian Textbooks”, by Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, is an examination of how history and politics became entangled in Romania and Serbia. In it, Segesten asks questions like: Is myth present in the history textbooks of Romania and Serbia? If so, are there differences in the ways these myths define the in-group and the relationship with the Other between a country that experienced interethnic conflict (Serbia) and a country that did not (Romania)? Do textbooks affect the odds that conflict will occur? Segesten’s findings confirm the presence of mythologized versions of the past in the history textbooks of both countries over the entire fifteen-year period studied (1992–2007), despite claims for professionalization of textbook-making. Myths of noble origins, of heroism and victimhood, appear in both cases. Segesten finds the language to be ideological and in favor of the ethnic majority, even if over time there is a slow tendency towards moderation (especially in Romania), probably due to the influence of the European Union. Ultimately, “Myth, Identity, and Conflict”, by Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, questions the alleged power of history textbooks to make a difference in ethnically divided societies prone to conflicts.

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