Struggle over Identity the official and the alternative "Belarusianness" - Bekus, Nelly 1970- (CEU Press, 2010)
Includes bibliographical references and index
Pt. 1. Nation in theory -- Nation-formation strategies in contemporary nation-studies -- State and nation -- Nationalism, capitalism, liberalism : the East European perspective -- Nationalism and socialism : the Soviet case -- pt. 2. The rise and development of the Belarusian national idea -- The first Belarusian nationalist movement : between national and class interests -- Byelorussian republic within the Soviet state -- Post-Soviet conditions for independence -- pt. 3. Belarusian post-communism -- The election of the first Belarusian president as a mirror of Belarusian preferences -- "Labels" of the Belarusian regime -- "Triple transformation" and Belarus -- Prerequisites of democratization and authoritarianism in Belarus -- pt. 4. Arguments and paradoxes of weak Belarusian identity -- Belarus as an example of national and democratic failure -- The Russian factor in Belarusian self-perception -- The paradox of "national pride" -- Paradoxes of political and linguistic Russification -- Lack of religious basis for national unity -- pt. 5. The struggle over identity -- Two ideas of "Belarusianness" in place of "sole" national idea -- Belarusian-specific nature of the public sphere : invisible wall -- Belarusian tradition : the alternative and official historical narrations -- Political discourses of alternative Belarusianness -- National ideology of the Belarusian state as a political articulation of official Belarusianness -- pt. 6. Cultural manifestation versus social reification -- Two Belarusian approaches to the politics of identity -- "The Belarusian globe" : an encyclopedia of what existed before communism -- Belarusian National Film Misterium occupation : distancing themselves from Soviets and Russians -- Free theater : alternative Belarusianness on the stage -- Independent rock music : critical reflection and protest -- Medieval reenactors : a manifestation of Belarus's European history -- The official politics of identity : social reification strateg