What Kind of History Do We Need? Remarks by a Participant in International Dialog Projects
What Kind of History Do We Need? Remarks by a Participant in International Dialog Projects
Author(s): Mirosław FilipowiczContributor(s): Agnieszka Matysiak (Translator)
Subject(s): Diplomatic history, Military history, Political history, International relations/trade
Published by: Instytut Europy Środkowej
Keywords: International dialog; history; Polish-Russian history; historical truth; fundamental myths;
Summary/Abstract: Historical disputes, which have been taking place in Poland recently, clearly show that history itself may be skilfully, yet inappropriately, involved in the contemporary politics and political manoeuvring. Few prominent exceptions notwithstanding, historians usually prefer not to take part in a game as such. However, they simultaneously do not enjoy considerable influence on how their arguments (in a simplified or even vulgarized form) are being taken advantage of by politicians, propagandists or ideologists. That last group, for instance, caters only for one version (interpretation) of history, either rejecting the others or regarding them as completely false. Nevertheless, a critical approach to history is not always taken for granted even by patriots. As Georg Iggers aptly observed, the ‘invented pasts’ of the 19th and 20th centuries did become the breeding ground for the contemporary arising nationalistic movements.
Journal: Rocznik Instytutu Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej
- Issue Year: 16/2018
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 11-25
- Page Count: 15
- Language: English