Bouchat, Pierre; Licata, Laurent; Rosoux, Valerie; Allesch, Christian; Ammerer, Heinrich; Babinska, Maria; Bilewicz, Michal; Bobowik, Magdalena; Bovina, Inna; Bruckmuller, Susanne; Cabecinhas, Rosa; Chryssochoou, Xenia; Cserto, Istvan; Delouvee, Sylvain; Durante, Federica; Ernst-Vintila, Andreea; Flassbeck, Christine; Franc, Renata; Hilton, Denis; Keles, Serap; Kesteloot, Chantal; Kislioglu, Resit; Krenn, Alice; Macovei, Irina; Mari, Silvia; Medugorac, Vanja; Petrovic, Nebojsa; Polya, Tibor; Raudsepp, Maaris; Sa, Alberto; Sakki, Inari; Turjacanin, Vladimir; Turken, Salman; van Ypersele, Laurence; Vojak, Danijel; Volpato, Chiara; Warland, Genevieve; Klein, Olivier
(2019)
The present study examines current social representations associated with the origins of the Great War, a major event that has profoundly affected Europe. A survey conducted in 20 European countries (N = 1906 students in social sciences) shows a high consensus: The outbreak of the war is attributed to the warring nations' leaders while the responsibility of the populations is minimized. Building on the concept of social representation of history (Liu & Hilton, 2005), we suggest that the social representations of the Great War fulfill social psychological functions in contemporary Europe. We suggest that WWI may function as a charter for European integration. Their content also suggests a desire to distinguish a positively valued ingroup ("the people") from powerful elites, construed as an outgroup.