Invented traditions

Invented tradition ( rare invention of tradition, constructed tradition or new tradition ) is a critical concept of ideology, which has been introduced in 1983 by Eric Hobsbawm and Terence Ranger with the essay collection The Invention of Tradition. Believe, that is, constructed in their present, but projected back into a certain past traditions to serve as historical fiction to legitimize certain norms and patterns to a current pressure to change society and to consolidate. The concept has considerably helped to anchor cultural research methods in historical studies and disseminate, and has become in various scientific disciplines into a signifier of authority structures.

Concept

According to the definition Hobsbawm in his introductory review of The Invention of Tradition " invented tradition means a bundle of practices of ritual or symbolic nature, which are usually determined by openly or tacitly accepted rules. It aims to consolidate certain behavioral values ​​and ways, by repeating what by itself includes the continuity with the past. Indeed, where is always possible attempts continuity with a suitable epoch. [ ... ] However, is the nature of invented traditions is that the continuity with the historical past, is incorporated herein by reference, is widely artificially. In short, there are responses to novel environments, the shape refers to old environments or create their own past by means of a quasi compelling repetition. "

There are three different forms of invented tradition, each with a special function, often under the first, the other two are subsumed:

• Invented tradition that creates or symbolizes consensual and collective identity;
• Invented tradition that forms or legitimized hierarchical institutions and companies;
• Invented tradition, the people introduced in specific social groups.

The purpose of the invented tradition sees the concept in the fact that they face historical change gives at least some parts of social life structure by its nature is considered immutable and permanent. The new perspective on how traditions are not merely extend with decreasing impact to the present, but unfold as backprojections their actual effect in the present, has the concept of tradition provides a high socio-scientific relevance. The concept studied for the past rather in how it is used, not what influence this. Invented tradition has not remained as a methodological approach limited to the history and social science. Ethnographic and prehistoric research has applied the concept for their own investigations. For example, much later secondary burials in Neolithic grave mounds or their conscious imitations are trying to explain in this sense. However, invented tradition, even if it is likely to be ubiquitous, as a specific manifestation of times accelerated, comprehensive and profound change suspected, so comparatively pronounced since the beginning of modernity (from the 19th century).

Examples

For invented traditions, there are many well-known examples:

• The Sirtaki, a Greek dance, which is only known since 1964.
• The vuvuzela, a popular South African wind instrument from the 1990s.

Criticism and current application

One problem with the concept is maintained that it work with a partially blickverengenden contrast between authentic, but merely invariable and more technically functioning customs and tradition constructed. This makes it go on - albeit for enlightened attitude - the question of how much material and moral past actually flows into the present. Another point of criticism is that it is precisely modernity rather originality assertions or constructed originality ( Invention of innovation) by distinguishing as invented traditions; they were in the pre-modern period not less numerous and effective than it is today, which shows that the pattern of explanation of the concept as a whole are not yet mature.

It is striking that traditions currently regain importance in the wake of globalization. They appear as a resource for designing ethnically or religiously circumscribed social groups to confirm the general concept Hobsbawm and Rangers. Invented tradition is used for example as a term related to phenomena of political Islam.

In the study of culture is "tradition" being replaced by "memory" as a counterpoint to history as the subject of a critical, positivist historiography understood. However, Hobsbawm points out that just historiographical works - would have to be much stronger than previously tested for their effect in the public sphere - in view of the use of ( invented) tradition to action legitimacy.