This review delves into the intricate relationship between collective memory and nostalgia, particularly emphasising their embodied and spatial aspect and their role in influencing political landscapes. Collective nostalgia not only revisits the past but actively participates in social identity construction and political mobilization. This does not necessarily lead to negative outcomes such as polarization. Instead, it can contribute to a constructive re-engagement with the past, facilitating a more inclusive national identity and fostering resilience against hegemonic narratives. While nostalgia has often been dismissed as merely reactionary, this review shows its potential as a dynamic agent, capable of fostering critical engagement with the past and inspiring future-oriented collective action.

Peer reviewed