Discourse, hegemony, and the public sphere: A theoretical framework for the empirical modelling of memory

Abstract This article develops a model to explain the emergence and persistence of shared memory, providing a practical toolkit for empirical research in memory studies. It begins with a review of the concepts of individual and collective memory, highlighting their limitations. In response, the article introduces two alternative concepts – subjectivised memory and hegemonic memory – that capture the interdependence of individual and collective memory while moving beyond their dichotomy. These concepts form the theoretical basis of the proposed model. The article applies the model to the example of Holocaust remembrance in Germany, illustrating how memory becomes hegemonic and persists over time.