Permanent revolution: The image of the class enemy in the literature of socialist realism in Albania

This study examines the construction of the “class enemy” in Albanian socialist realism literature from 1945 to 1989. It employs critical discourse analysis to examine the strategies used by the Party of Labor of Albania to find and eliminate its adversaries. The study analyses literary texts written by important writers of the socialist realism period in Albania applying Arendt’s concept of permanent revolution and Lefort’s notion of social prophylaxis. The article explores how these texts justified recurrent purges targeting diverse social strata through dehumanizing depictions and derogatory rhetoric. The analysis reveals that Albanian socialist realism literature portrayed enemies as societal parasites deserving of eradication. It underscores how rhetorical strategies, such as derogatory epithets and depictions of sabotage reinforced a discourse of suspicion, vigilance, and elimination. Socialist realism works functioned as a disciplinary mechanism, echoing Foucault’s theory, to rationalize systematic purges and consolidate state control across political, cultural, and social domains. The literature perpetuated a narrative of permanent revolution, fostering fear, suppressing dissent, and legitimizing authoritarian measures. The study highlights the enduring impact of ideological narratives on social control mechanisms. It underscores the role of literature in shaping public perception, reinforcing state authority, and justifying repressive policies. Understanding these dynamics provides insights into how regimes deploy cultural productions to maintain power and stifle opposition.