RITUAL, POLITICS, AND POWER

by David I. Kertzer ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 2, 1988

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.

Pub Date: March 2, 1988

ISBN: 0300043627

Page Count: -

Publisher: Yale Univ. Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1988

Categories: NONFICTION