Revista Psicologia Política
On-line version ISSN 2175-1390
Abstract
ANSARA, Soraia. Political memory: constructing a new theoretical reference in the political psychology. Rev. psicol. polít. [online]. 2008, vol.8, n.15, pp.31-56. ISSN 2175-1390.
This present work adds to Political Psychology field a new perspective of the political memory concept aroused from the results of a doctorate research project about the collective memory regarding the military dictatorship and repression in Brazil. The research was developed in three Brazilian capitals as to know: Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo and Curitiba. Based on the theories of authors such as Gamson (1992ab), Sandoval (1994, 2001) and Halbwachs (1990), the interface between collective memory and political consciousness was analyzed. Under the light of these theories we also tried to understand the influence and impact that collective memory has on the political behavior of people who represent different generations and have lived in different historical and political context. In this study it was possible to notice that memory might stimulate the political consciousness allowing collective actions to emerge. In the same sense, political consciousness may be a determinant factor when it comes to political memory as well.
Keywords : Political memory; Collective memory; Political conscience; Political behavior; Military dictatorship.