Architecture as Political Symbolism: Power, Authority, & the Built Form

Authors

• Naomi Minwalla, James Madison UniversityFollow

Preferred Name

Naomi Minwalla

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Date of Graduation

5-14-2026

Semester of Graduation

Spring

Publish

yes

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Department of Political Science

First Advisor

John Scherpereel

Second Advisor

John Tkac

Third Advisor

John Tkac

Abstract

This study examines how architecture functions as a medium of political symbolism, exploring the ways in which built environments communicate authority, ideology, and collective identity. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Murray Edelman, the research first establishes how political symbols shape social cohesion, legitimize authority, and construct political meaning. The study then applies architectural interpretation frameworks developed by Martin Warnke, Erwin Panofsky, and Alois Riegl to analyze how symbolic meaning is embedded within architectural form, spatial organization, and ornamentation.

Using a qualitative comparative case study design, the research analyzes two major religious structures: the Seville Cathedral in Seville, Spain, and the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Through visual observation, historical contextualization, and symbolic analysis, the study demonstrates how these cathedrals function as material expressions of political authority and cultural identity. The findings reveal that architecture operates not only as a functional or aesthetic structure but also as a symbolic medium that both reflects and shapes relations between religion, political authority, and national identity. Ultimately, the research highlights the enduring role of architecture in influencing political meaning, reinforcing authority, and communicating ideological narratives.