Social Myths and Collective Imaginaries

"Social Myths and Collective Imaginaries is a brilliant work, written with great clarity and purpose. G rard Bouchard displays clear mastery over the role and place of myth in modern society. Drawing upon philosophy, social science, and popular culture, Social Myths and Collective Imaginaries should become a staple in cultural sociology courses." -- Ronald Eyerman, Department of Sociology, Yale University "In Social Myths and Collective Imaginaries G rard Bouchard successfully develops a very thoughtful and very ambitious framework for analyzing the role of cultural myths in social life. Bouchard's scholarship is sound and reflects his vast knowledge of sociological studies by both English and French scholars." -- Scott Schaffer, Department of Sociology, Western University

In Social Myths and Collective Imaginaries, Gérard Bouchard conceptualizes myths as vessels of sacred values that transcend the division between primitive and modern. These vessels become so influential as to make an indelible impression on people’s minds.

Myths are commonly associated with illusions or with deceptive, dangerous discourse, and are often perceived as largely the domain of premodern societies. But even in our post-industrial, technologically driven world, myths – Western or Eastern, ancient or modern, religious or scientific – are in fact powerful, pervasive forces.

In Social Myths and Collective Imaginaries, Gérard Bouchard conceptualizes myths as vessels of sacred values that transcend the division between primitive and modern. Myths represent key elements of collective imaginaries, past and present. In all societies there are values and beliefs that hold sway over most of the population. Whether they come from religion, political institutions, or other sources, they enjoy exalted status and go largely unchallenged. These myths have the power to bring societies together as well as pull them apart. Yet the study of myth has been largely neglected by sociologists and other social scientists. Bouchard navigates this uncharted territory by addressing a number of fundamental questions: What is the place of myth in contemporary societies and in the relations between the cultural and the social? How do myths take form? From what do they draw their strength? How do they respond to shifting contexts?

Myths matter, Bouchard argues, because of the energy they unleash, energy that enables a population to mobilize and rally around collective goals. At the same time myths work to alleviate collective anxiety and to meet the most pressing challenges facing a society. In this bold analysis, Bouchard challenges common assumptions and awakens us to the transcendent power of myth in our daily lives and in our shared aspirations.