This volume explores the nature of nostalgia as an important emotion in contemporary society and social theory. Situated between the ‘sociology of emotions’ and ‘nostalgia studies’, it considers the reasons for which nostalgia appears to be becoming an increasingly significant and debated emotion in late-modern culture. With chapters offering studies of nostalgia at micro-, meso- and macro-levels of society, it offers insights into the rise to prominence of nostalgia and the attendant consequences. Thematically organised and examining the role of nostalgia on an individual level – in the lives of concrete individuals – as well as analysing its function on a more historical social level as a collective and culturally shared emotion, Nostalgia Now brings together the latest empirical and theoretical work on an important contemporary emotion and proposes new agendas for research. As such, it will appeal to scholars of sociology, social theory, psychology and cultural studies with interests in the emotions.
Author(s): Michael Hviid Jacobsen (editor)
Series: Routledge Advances in Sociology
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 246
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
List of illustrations
List of contributors
Preface and acknowledgements
Introduction: in times of nostalgia: the brave new world of a
grand old emotion
Introduction
Nostalgia now
Nostalgia as ‘disease’ and ‘emotion’
Varieties of nostalgia
The commercialisation of nostalgia
The politics of nostalgia
The ambivalence of nostalgia
About this book
References
PART I: Conceptual and theoretical perspectives on nostalgia
1. Nostalgia: the paradoxical bittersweet emotion
Introduction
Elements of the paradox of nostalgia
Research: definitions, measures and tasks
Nostalgia does not always elevate positive mood
Timeline of nostalgia
The cognitive-emotional character of nostalgia
Beyond feeling good: the impact of nostalgia
Nostalgia in daily life
Pathological nostalgia
Understanding the paradoxical nature of nostalgia
Conclusion
References
2. The psychology of nostalgia: delineating the emotion’s nature and functions
Introduction
Delineating nostalgia
Functions of nostalgia
Limits of nostalgia
Conclusion
References
3. Future imaginings: nostalgia for unrealized possible selves
Introduction
Our possible selves
Other possible selves
Nostalgia, possible selves and continuity of identity
Nostalgia and related concepts/experiences
Conclusion
References
4. Retrotopia rising: the topics of utopia, retrotopia and nostalgia in the sociology of Zygmunt Bauman
Introduction
Utopia – the ‘activating presence’
Against ambivalence – the solid-modern misuses of utopia
Hunting utopia – consuming utopia
Retrotopia – the rise of ‘restorative nostalgia’
Bauman, utopia and retrotopia/nostalgia
Conclusion
References
PART II: Memory, politics and social critique in a mediatised era
5. Dangerous memories: nostalgia and the historical sublime
Introduction
Defining nostalgia
The historical sublime
Sublime agitation
History without subjects
Historical responsibility
Taming the sublime?
Dangerous memories
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
6. The dilemmas of radical nostalgia: acknowledging the power of the past in the politics of the Left
Introduction
The Left and nostalgia: a difficult encounter
Four dilemmas
Rethinking the relationship between radicalism and nostalgia
Conclusion
References
7. The political staging of nostalgia: neo-Ottomanism in contemporary Turkey
Introduction
Historical context
Theoretical background
The Conquest Rally
Conquerors, saviours and grandchildren
Effervescence in commemoration rallies
The sandwich method – enemies, accomplishments, enemies
Populist nostalgia as an ideal-type
Conclusion
Notes
Acknowledgements
References
8. The future of nostalgia is inevitable: reflections on mediated nostalgia
Introduction
What nostalgia has been
Disney and the remaking of our childhoods
Everything on television is a rerun
Conclusion
References
PART III: Consumerism, migration and everyday life
9. The dark side of nostalgic bonds: moral motivators of consumer identities, decisions and behaviours
Introduction
Consumer identity
The process of nostalgic bonding
The dark side of nostalgic bonding
Conclusion
References
10. Transmigratory nostalgia: sentimentality and everyday life on the Japan Exchange and Teaching programme
Introduction
The JET programme
Nostalgia and everyday life
The investigation
Transmigratory nostalgia and globalisation
Transmigratory nostalgia and cultural exchange
Conclusion
References
11. Living in nostalgia: exploring expatriate experiences of everyday nostalgia in Pattaya
Introduction
About Pattaya
About the study
Nostalgia and expat everyday life
Troubles in paradise
Conclusion
Notes
References
Index
