ABSTRACT
The ideas that a citizenry has about its history play an essential role —for better or worse—in shaping its political discourse and action. Historical accounts may be invoked in order to remind others of shameful episodes of the past that should not be repeated or of democratic traditions that should be upheld. They may also be invoked to incite groups to deprive others of their rights, property, or lives in the name of reversing past injustices or returning to an earlier glorious (and often highly mythologized) period.
