Political myths are narratives that explain a political topic, often in the form of a dramatic story. They can be based on historical fact or philosophical validity. National origin stories and Manifest Destiny are examples of political myths. They can unite a community but also be used as tools of oppression.
A political myth is a narrative, usually in the form of a dramatic story, that relates to a political topic. A political myth might purport to explain how a particular state came to be or describe the relationship between two groups as part of a larger, legendary narrative. Political myths, whether or not they have a basis in historical fact, satisfy a group’s need to have a current political situation legitimized by inclusion in a larger story.
The term “political myth” was coined in 1975 in Henry Tudor’s book of the same name. Tudor described this type of myth as one in which the hero or protagonist was not a single person but a group. The group could be a nation, an ethnic group or a social class. Political myths refer to history but are not necessarily historical; group members accept the myth as valid in philosophical terms rather than historically accurate.
A common type of political myth is the story of national origin or ethnogenesis. Many nations have semi-legendary accounts, often based to some extent on historical fact, of how they came to be. For example, early medieval historians recounted the arrival of the English in England under two mythic leaders, Hengist and Horsa, while the medieval historian Snorri Sturluson created a mythic origin for the Scandinavian peoples that linked them to classical mythology. A more modern example of this type of myth would be the story of Puritans sailing to the New World to escape religious persecution and founding what would become America.
Not all political myths are an origin story. Other political myths provide a great narrative to frame political and cultural movements. For example, the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century was accompanied by the creation of a political myth known as Manifest Destiny. This narrative explained American territorial acquisition as part of an inevitable growth. Supporters perceived reaching the Pacific Ocean as the “destiny” of the United States. The United States itself has become the protagonist of this myth, with resistance to American expansion perceived as a threat to national destiny.
The role of the political myth is to unite the community and instill a sense of belonging. This can have both positive and negative consequences. Political myths often serve as rallying points in times of national crisis, but they can also be used as tools of oppression. For example, the “dolchstosslegende,” or “stab-in-the-back legend,” was a narrative that claimed that Germany lost World War I through the treachery of its enemies at home. It was an important element of Nazi propaganda and encouraged support for the regime.
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