RT Article
T1 Wir-Gefühle, Feindbilder und Feindseligkeit bei deutschsprachigen k.u.k. Soldaten im Ersten Weltkrieg. Eine emotionssoziologische Perspektive
JF Interdisciplinary journal for religion and transformation in contemporary society
VO 4
IS 1
SP 53
OP 87
A1 Haring-Mosbacher, Sabine 1970-
LA German
PB Brill
YR 2018
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1579036961
AB This paper deals with the We-feelings, the Images of Enemies, and the Hostility of German-speaking k.u.k. soldiers serving during the First World War. Against the background of Elias!s figurational approach and in a sociology of emotions! perspective, my analysis is focused on affectual ties within military units and stresses the important role of different power balances (vertical loyalty) in regard to We-feelings and images of friends and enemies. In addition, group norms and group constraints - that influence wether the issue of We-feelings is broached or not - are rudimentary illustrated by using different sources: regimental histories, autobiographic manuscripts and diaries. These sources, as the paper shows, give a lively picture of a process from their initial enthusiasm to their growing alienation as a result of technicization and de-personalization and, finally, to their experiencing the war as either a natural, lawful necessity or, in contrast, as a pointless, meaningless struggle. The paper will particulary discuss the following questions: Which emotions are constitutive for We-Feelings and for Hostility at the front? What was the importance of emotions such as shame, sympathy, compassion and revenge regarding the bond of affection between soldiers of the Habsburg Army during World War I? Which role did „comradeship” play during attacks, particulary in regard to the escalation of violence at the front? And, how did the war shape the image of “the enemy”?
DO 10.14220/jrat.2018.4.1.53