Abstract
Dominant representations of history evolve through differential exercise of power to enable memory of collective triumphs and silence memory of collective misdeeds. We examined silence regarding minorities in official constructions of history and the implications of this silence for national identity and intergroup relations in Turkey. A content analysis of official constructions of history inscribed in Turkish national university admissions exams (Study 1) revealed an emphasis on celebratory events, silence about ethnic and religious minorities, and a construction of national identity in ethno-cultural (e.g., as “Turk” and “Muslim”) rather than civic terms (e.g., in terms of citizenship). An investigation with Turkish participants (Study 2) revealed that denial of historical information regarding minority populations documented in sources outside the national curriculum was associated with greater endorsement of ethno-cultural constructions of identity and less support for minority rights and freedom of expression. We discuss the liberatory potential of alternative forms of historical knowledge to promote more inclusive models of identification and improve intergroup relations.
Highlights
Social scientists have long emphasized how collective memory both shapes and serves interests of collective identity
Out of the 112 items, 5 did not pertain to any particular era and 7 referred to global history without direct relevance to Turkish history
One item in the 2008 exam focused on the pre-Islamic “era of the Huns within the Turkish history”, and asked students to identify which developments—establishment of an army, establishment of a state body, or discovery of print—took place during that period
Summary
Social scientists have long emphasized how collective memory both shapes and serves interests of collective identity. Representations of history are not mere reflections of objectively recorded events. Instead, these representations carry the identity interests of their producers, and people engage with these representations of history in ways that serve their identity needs. People with strong collective identification have the tendency to recall few instances of collective misdeeds, to prefer celebratory portrayals of the past over more critical portrayals, and to interpret events in ways that defend against identity threats. Past research suggests that dominant representations of history across diverse national settings often emphasize collective triumphs and silence collective misdeeds
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