A scholarly politico-cultural study of the function of symbols and
rituals in maintaining political legitimacy, by Kertzer
(Anthropology/Bowdoin), author of Comrades and Christians: Religion
and Political Struggle in Communist Italy (1980). Daily newspapers
provide hundreds of examples of ritual in politics; the recent
ceremonious meetings between Reagan and Gorbachev are one instance.
Kertzer explores the power of this kind of political ceremony - not
just in our own country but around the globe, from May Day parades
in Moscow to cannibal rites of the Aztecs to Reagan's Bitburg
visit. All of these examples, and ritual in general, Kertzer
argues, are used by reigning governments to legitimize the state,
foster solidarity, build political organizations, and placate an
aroused citizenry. But rituals aren't used only by sitting
governments; the author examines how they are also vital to
aspirants and revolutionaries. This may strike readers as a bit
obvious, but the fact is that most works of historical anthropology
assume ritual is politically significant only in primitive
societies. Kertzer's point is humorously brought home by a Monhegan
Indian chief who, questioned about the origins of his headdress,
readily admits that it was ordered through a Sears catalogue but
says, in effect, that "the public had come to expect such attire
from Indian chiefs." Kertzer's work is chock-full of examples -
ranging from Ferdinand Marcos' posturing in the face of Aquino's
ascendancy to Khruschev's de-Stalinization program, an example of a
"rite of degradation. . .delegitimizing the authority associated
with the symbolism of leaders of the past." A valuable work for
scholars - of limited interest to others. (Kirkus Reviews)
In the most comprehensive study of political ritual yet written,
David I. Kertzer explains why ritual has been and will continue to
be an essential part of political life. Weaving together examples
from around the world and throughout history, Kertzer shows that
the success of all political groups, whether conservative or
revolutionary, is linked to their effective use of ritual. "The
author delights the reader with numerous excursions into the
political rites of the Aztecs, the contemporary Soviet Union, the
French Revolution, colonial Africa, the Italian Communist Party,
and a host of others, all richly and amusingly analyzed. . . . This
is. . . political anthropology as it should be, directed at an
interdisciplinary audience, and demonstrating to
non-anthropologists the vital relevance of ethnographic comparison
for political theory."-Robert W. Hefner, American Anthropologist "A
major work in comparative political culture, this book should be
mandatory reading for all undergraduate and graduate students of
politics."-Choice "An important and compelling book, one that
illuminates the role of ritual in human life, as well as the nature
of politics. Written in a lucid and graceful style, it should
appeal to the general reader as well as to anthropologists and
political scientists."-Charles E. Silberman, author of A Certain
People and Criminal Violence, Criminal Justice.
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