symbolic elements of everyday culture - MTA Szociológiai ...

● KAPITÁNY ÁGNES – KAPITÁNY GÁBOR ● Visual symbols of system change in Hungary ●
After the system change, so did these signs of power. In 2005 we saw no relics of communist ideology. Instead
there are pictures that symbolize cultural-historical traditions. No more symbols of only one ideology: the
monolithic party-power was followed by a multi-party system, the one ideology: the monolithic political party-
power was followed by a multi-party system; the one-sided political power was followed by a society governed
by different (economic, financial… and political) interests. The power of a chief isn’t based on his or her
unilateral loyalty. A significant expression of these changes is that there is “nobody” behind the bosses’ back.
Sometimes we can see symbols of state authority, such as the Hungarian coat of arms, and Hungarian and EU-
flags. (Sometimes the arrangement of these flags copies that of the presidential office in the US). But the most
typical place for the boss’s chair is in front of the window. What is behind the manager? The life of the street. It
is a symbol of democratic legitimization, and of a close connection to reality.
Since the window has became the “main wall”, the curtain has became one of the most important symbols of
prestige.
b) Some signs of power remained. The objects and pictures, which suggest the atmosphere of history, the
measure or the (antique) style of tables and wardrobes, and their ornaments refer to power at any time.
c) In 1985 almost every boss’s room had three parts, three spaces: the writing table, the desk and its
surroundings, (like the conning tower of a ship); a long conference table with hierarchical seating, and a coffee
table with comfortable armchairs for “informal”, “unofficial” communication.
In 2005 there was an interesting change: the conference table was generally connected to the desk – this
change can express the increasing importance of communication and team-work.
d) After the system change, signs of local authority became more important. This is another symbolic sign of
decentralization. In 1985 it was very rare, but in 2005 flags, coats of arms, and local maps were designed for
even the smallest villages, and used in different rooms of local council offices; these local signs are imprinted
on different objects.
e) The monopolistic position of managers (and its signs in the manager’s rooms) was a further typical symbol of
the internal hierarchy. The bosses monopolized the objects of comfort (refrigerator, comfortable armchairs,
divans). The objects of communication (newspapers, TV, videos, telephones, computers); and some objects of
their rooms suggest secrecy (safe, padded door).
There were some remarkable changes in 2005: namely, objects of comfort also appear in the rooms of
subordinates, and bosses have new symbols of prestige: these last (laptop, mobile phone, DVD-player, etc.)
express a new, more mobile style, a more independent form of managerial work. The symbolic function of
telephones also changed. In 1985 the number of telephones was a symbol of prestige (some of the leaders had
4, 5 or 6 telephones on their desk, expressing their importance. It was the main function of this phenomenon,
because nobody can use more than two telephones at the same time). In 2005 traditional phones were
changed to mobiles, and now the type, quality, brand, high tech functions of the mobiles (private mobiles,
official mobiles, etc.) have become new symbols of status.
46