The Glory Trap: Memory Politics, Symbolic Sovereignty, and the Global Struggle for Narrative Power

By Lisheng Dong

The Glory Trap offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of how political actors--ranging from populist leaders to authoritarian regimes--exploit collective memory to mobilize domestic support, reshape identity, and challenge international norms. Introducing the original "Memory-Humiliation-Mission" framework, the book examines the weaponization of history across educational systems, media platforms, monuments, and ceremonies. Through six detailed country case studies (Russia, Turkey, China, Hungary, the United States, and France) and thematic chapters on media, leadership styles, digital discourse, and civilizational diplomacy, The Glory Trap not only diagnoses the risks of nostalgic politics but also proposes concrete, evidence-based policy solutions for building an ethical memory ecosystem that strengthens democratic resilience.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 981950001X
• ISBN13: 9789819500017
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
• Length: 315 Pages