Power of Language and Language of Power as Postmodernist Context of Historical Research

Abstract

The article deals with the theory and practice of postmodernist approach to historical research. It is shown that historical interpretation cannot be limited to the literal understanding of a historical source, since it also contains connotative meanings, in addition to denotative ones. In order to understand the denotative meaning of the text, it is sufficient to know the language of the text, but to reveal connotative meanings it is necessary to resort research procedures that positivist methodology is lacking. Postmodernism provides the historian with a tool for working with the text within the framework of the language of culture. This tool is the deconstruction of the text. In addition, postmodernism considers the social reality of the past as a reality that is devoid of a single center and is permeated with relations of power. The relations of power both constitute the essence of social reality, and affect the formation of the subject living in this reality. In this sense power goes beyond the state apparatus. It is found in the most unexpected places, for example, in the everyday life of people. Besides, the power does not suppress an individual, but gives him or her a certain freedom of action, without which power relations are impossible. Social reality is the arena of the struggle between multiple tactics of action and counteraction. The article also examines a number of historical studies whose theoretical-methodological apparatus takes into account the ideas of postmodernism. It is shown that postmodern approach has a great cognitive value when applied to historical material.