Cambridge Journal of Political Affairs
Published December 18, 2024 | Version v1
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Weaponising Collective Trauma: The Case of Russia and Israel

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This paper investigates the strategic use of collective trauma as a political tool in the cases of Russia and Israel, examining how both nations weaponise historical memory to mobilise public support and legitimise military actions. Utilising Michel Foucault’s theory of power and discourse, we explore the manipulation of collective memory within state-controlled media, specifically focusing on Russia’s invocation of World War II and Israel’s emphasis on the Holocaust. Through critical discourse analysis, our study reveals that despite their distinct historical and geopolitical contexts, both countries employ similar strategies to construct narratives of victimhood nationalism, reinforcing national identity and justifying their actions. Our findings contribute to the broader understanding of memory politics, highlighting the dangers of distorting historical narratives and offering a framework for future research on the weaponisation of trauma in other geopolitical settings. This comparative analysis underscores the need to scrutinise how collective memory is manipulated to serve political ends.

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