Symbols of the old regime live on
Revolutions are no longer things of the past but rather something happening right now. Even though many people in general share the political goals of the revolutionaries, they are often not so ready to give up customs and traditions associated with the old regime. In a new book, historian Henrik Ågren describes how various governments have had to face this problem and how they have tried to deal with it.
How does a revolution affect a country’s traditions and history writing? Revolutions are drastic transformations in society where an established system is replaced by another – often with the help of violence, always involving severe forms and through conflicts that make it hard for revolutionaries who have taken power to take a step or even look back.
The symbols and notions of the old regime have no place in the new society, but they are nevertheless found everywhere as impediments when the revolution wants to create its own heroic history. At the same time, the new regime needs the approval of the people, otherwise it will have a hard time maintaining control. And even though people in general share the political goals of the revolution, they are often not so ready to give up customs and traditions. To avoid becoming isolated from them, the leaders need to adopt parts of the old society’s cultural legacy, even though it represents the very system they want to turn away from.
Between ideals and traditions
In his book The Emperor’s New Clothes: The use of History and Cultural Heritage during Early Modern Reformation and Modern Revolution (in Swedish) historian Henrik Ågren describes how various governments have faced this problem and how they have tried to deal with it. Examples like the French and Russian revolutions and the protestant reformation in early 16th-century Europe show that it isn’t easy to balance ideals with traditions.
How much worshipping of saints can a good protestant tolerate? Can a communist
celebrate Christmas? Can we retain popular monuments if they celebrate tyrants from the old regime?
‘Even the most orthodox revolutionaries have to compromise and retain phenomena they would really like to get rid of. It’s hard to build a society on ideals, no matter how good they are. Those wishing to win over the people must also pay attention to people’s need for the security of the past’, says Henrik Ågren.
Linda Koffmar