Political mythology is used by totalitarian and authoritarian regimes to imbed in the masses the idea of unity and a bright future, historian Virgiliu Bîrlădeanu stated in IPN’s public debate “Political mythologies in history and in actuality”. According to him, communism and Nazism made extensive use of elements of political mythology to sell to the population the idea of a bright future and a savior ruler, which turned out to be false.
According to historians, there are a number of elements of political mythology that are used propagandistically by authoritarian rulers to induce to the population the idea of a golden future, which can only be offered by a savior leader.
“We still have the myth of the scapegoat which is very often used to create the image of the enemy, to bestialize the enemy and to legitimize particular actions of violence, wars. Totalitarian or authoritarian regimes are very effective in disseminating propaganda and political mythology because any attempt to come up with other opinions in public discourse is stopped. In a democratic society, I would not categorically say that there are no myths, but there is a dialogue or a balance. When someone comes up with a destructive myth, there is every chance for this to be debunked by opposing opinions. Through a dialogue, false, destructive myths are demolished. Therefore, in a democracy there is no risk that political mythology will turn into a dominant propaganda and an ideology of violence and crimes, as it happened during Stalinism and Nazism,” said Virgiliu Bîrlădeanu, PhD in History, an associate professor, head of the Contemporary History Department, Institute of History of the Moldova State University.
According to the historian, the myth of unity is used by authoritarian regimes to implant the cohesion of society. Military parades are still used as an element of the unity myth signifying military strength and grandeur.
“We have a cult of the charismatic personality in the hypostasis of savior, who comes and promises to save the nation and a golden age, a society in which, in the future, everyone will be happy. Communism is a hypostasis of the militaristic myth. There is also the myth of unity. Let’s remember the united masses. Totalitarian regimes like unity to be flaunted. Military parades also embody a myth of unity and security that is imbedded in the masses. Totalitarian leaders resort to instruments of manipulation of collective consciousness,” said Virgiliu Bîrlădeanu.
According to him, elements of political mythology are used by political leaders to control the masses. The military aggression in Ukraine brought back to the region the culture of war, which is intensely promoted in the Republic of Moldova as well.
“The main function of political mythology is to instigate particular actions. We have lately noticed that a culture of war has been created. The clothing of World War II is massively used. Children dressed in these clothes also appear, which is worrying. We see that this is not an apparent demonstration, but a project for the future. The involvement of children in these actions and practices is very worrying. In the Republic of Moldova, memorials were rehabilitated, which is beneficial, but at these memorials they began to stage theatrical actions that created a false image of World War II. It was seen that this is done to justify the abuses committed during the Stalinist period. That is we are victorious, we have won in a great war, but great sacrifices were also made, which is why collectivization, deportation and repression were necessary,” explained associate professor Virgiliu Bîrlădeanu.
The public debate entitled “Political mythologies in history and in actuality” was the 35th installment of the series “Impact of the past on confidence and peace building processes”. IPN Agency carries out this project with the support of the German “Hanns Seidel” Foundation.