Hungarologische Beitrage 10. Universität Jyväskylä (1997)
Epilogi - Liitteet - English summary
ENGLISH SUMMARY The publication Historia poliittisena argumenttina (History As a Political Argument) is about the different interpretations wich arose concerning the Hungarian recent past and the events of 1956 and their impacts on current politics, especially 1988-1989. Primarily the book focuses on Hungarian history until the first multiparty elections held in 1990. The discussions which have originated during the last few years are briefly found in the epilogue. The publication is based on a hcentiate thesis in pohtical science accepted in the University of Jyväskylä, May 1995. The purpose of this book is to study the relationship between history and symbolic, discursive power. Do the interpretations of the past legitimize political views and, if they do, how and to whom? How does the present context and experiences such as politics and the pohtical situation impact the interpretation of the past, and through what kind of pohtical narratives? According to popular view, "1956" was taboo during the Kádár era and that tabooism has often been self-evident in Hungary. Thus, the book focuses on how and to whom "1956" became taboo. On the basis of the Hungarian example, current pohtical dimensions of history and time are examined. First, the historical experience in relation to history is analysed using Koselleck's theory that history writing goes through three phases (Aufschreiben, Fortschreiben and Umschreiben) and the same divison is used here. History writing is understood (cf. Hayden White) as a literary artifact which contains interpretation and metahistory. The decision of whose experiences and interpretations are written into history is itself a political question. In addition to historians, there are other actors in the discussion about using the past and constructing new political horizons for the future. It can be said that "all" that was said about 1956 during the Kádár regime also had pohtical and symbolic dimensions. Thus, in addition to historical texts, this thesis both examines concrete symbols such as the coats of arms and national days which, on the one hand try to help one to remember, and on the other hand, to forget. Therefore, different mechanisms how the past became a part 237