Symbolism and Politics is a timely intervention into ongoing debates around the function of political symbols in a historical period characterized by volatile electoral behaviour, fragmented societies in search of collective identifications, and increasingly polarized political models.

1. Introduction: Symbolism and Politics Graeme Gill and Luis F. Angosto-Ferrandez 2. Corpses that Speak: Revolutionary Violence and Political Communication in Indonesia Robbie Peters 3. The Political Lives of the 'Disappeared' in the Transition from Conflict to Peace in Colombia Michael Humphrey 4. Mausoleums, National Flags and Regime Crises: Comparing Spain and Venezuela Luis F. Angosto-Ferrandez 5. Political Symbols and Regime Change: The Russian Experience Graeme Gill 6. Niyazov's Ideology and its Symbolism: The Cult of the Leader, Nationalism and its Suppression of Critical Thinking Yelena Nikolayevna Zabortseva 7. Plotters and Martyrs: The Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Constituting of Political Actors in the 15 July Coup Event Christopher Houston 8. From Resurrection and New Dawn to the Pirate Party: Political Party Names as Symbolizing Recent Transformations in the Political Field in Iceland Mary Hawkins and Helena Onnudottir 9. Changing the Face of Power: The Literary Re-education of a Dictator Peter Morgan