Political Socialization in a Changing Society: A Crisis of Value Orientations or Asynchronization of National Memories?

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2022.6.1.162

Abstract

The article examines qualitative changes in the socio-cultural parameters of intergenerational communication that impact social cohesion and civic identification in contemporary society. Diversification of symbol production and an increase in the number of agents of political communications, a greater heterogeneity of political ideologies, and modes of political representation shape political processes. To adequately address these changes, one needs new theoretical models of political socialization. Such models would examine youth political incorporation as a particular form of communication predicated on the spatial and temporal design of political events within national communities. The focus on generational differences in the interpretation of political events helps explain youth positioning vis-à-vis older generations. In this case, political socialization goes beyond the processes of the younger generation’s adaptation to institutions and value-normative regimes of the “adult” society. It is a communicative process of establishing generational political expectations. Analysis of the legitimating profiles of national memory—those that include competing symbolic representations of images of the future and the past, typologies of the heroic, concepts of guilt and responsibility—is crucial to studying the political socialization of the younger generation. The authors emphasize the significance of both a theoretical and applied analysis of symbolic structures of political memory and the role of iconic power in understanding intergenerational continuity and change. Drawing on the methods of cultural sociology, the authors outline novel theoretical approaches to studying youth political socialization in today’s society.

Author Biographies

Konstantin F. Zavershinskiy, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Konstantin F. Zavershinskiy is a Professor of Political Science at Saint Petersburg State University. His primary line of research focuses on the theory and methodology of politico-cultural studies and political legitimation, with a secondary line of research on the theory of symbolic politics and the anthropological dimensions of political processes. His latest research projects cover the theory and practice of the politics of memory and the social construction of political identity in contemporary society. Konstantin is the author of three books and more than 170 book chapters, research and educational works in the subject areas of the theory of political culture, political legitimation, and cultural sociology of politics.

Alexander I. Koryushkin, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Alexander I. Koryushkin is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Saint Petersburg State University. His primary line of research focuses on the theory and philosophy of politics, history, philosophy, and methodology of contemporary political science, with a secondary line of research on the theory of symbolic politics and anthropological dimensions of political processes. His latest research project covers the political theory of science, technology, and innovation policy. His scientific output comprises two books and more than 50 scholarly and educational works in the fields of political science history, theory of political culture, theory of democracy, and discourse-network analysis of public policy.

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Published
2022-04-11
How to Cite
Zavershinskiy, K., & Koryushkin, A. (2022). Political Socialization in a Changing Society: A Crisis of Value Orientations or Asynchronization of National Memories?. Changing Societies & Personalities, 6(1), 35–55. doi:10.15826/csp.2022.6.1.162
Citation Formats
Issue
Vol. 6, No. 1 (2022)
Section
Articles