Reflexions on the Relationship Between Political Symbolism and Political Power

Abstract

Political power refers to various means in order to keep its audience under its influence and to manipulate them, as it desires. Perhaps the most effective of these is symbolism. Using symbol and symbolic action is one of the most powerful way of establishing group identity and the most direct way of communicating. Especially the owner of political power benefit from this power effectively. By using it, political legitimacy can be established, as well as an invisible dialogue between political actors and citizens can be managed. Thus, it is easier to develop policy in order to constitute and maintain order. In this article, this instrumentality is examined in the discussion of symbolism and power. In the light of the data obtained from the conceptual and theoretical literature, the relationship between symbol and power has been discussed in different angles. In addition, it was questioned that the politics is carried out by the symbols and the masses are politicized by the same way. It can be said that an invisible dialogue can be created between the political power holders and people; power owners not only can easily manipulate people's emotions and knowledge but also can transfer its power from generation to generation through the political symbols.