학술논문
Greedy Elites and Poor Lambs: How Young Europeans Remember the Great War
Document Type
article
Author
Pierre Bouchat; Laurent Licata; Valérie Rosoux; Christian Allesch; Heinrich Ammerer; Maria Babinska; Michal Bilewicz; Magdalena Bobowik; Inna Bovina; Susanne Bruckmüller; Rosa Cabecinhas; Xenia Chryssochoou; István Csertő; Sylvain Delouvée; Federica Durante; Andreea Ernst-Vintila; Christine Flassbeck; Renata Franc; Denis Hilton; Serap Keles; Chantal Kesteloot; Reşit Kışlıoğlu; Alice Krenn; Irina Macovei; Silvia Mari; Vanja Medugorac; Nebojša Petrović; Tibor Pólya; Maaris Raudsepp; Alberto Sá; Inari Sakki; Vladimir Turjacanin; Salman Türken; Laurence van Ypersele; Danijel Vojak; Chiara Volpato; Geneviève Warland; Olivier Klein
Source
Journal of Social and Political Psychology, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 52-75 (2019)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2195-3325
Abstract
The present study examines current social representations associated with the origins of the Great War, a major event that has profoundly affected Europe. A survey conducted in 20 European countries (N = 1906 students in social sciences) shows a high consensus: The outbreak of the war is attributed to the warring nations’ leaders while the responsibility of the populations is minimized. Building on the concept of social representation of history (Liu & Hilton, 2005), we suggest that the social representations of the Great War fulfill social psychological functions in contemporary Europe. We suggest that WWI may function as a charter for European integration. Their content also suggests a desire to distinguish a positively valued ingroup ("the people") from powerful elites, construed as an outgroup.