'Crushed between the National and the Global?': Rethinking Present Challenges and Future Avenues for European History as a Field of Research

• Published in: Ab imperio 2024, Vol.2024 (3), p.25-53
• Main Authors: Levsen, Sonja, Requate, Jörg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2166-4072; 2164-9731; 2164-9731
• DOI: 10.1353/imp.2024.a946256

Summarizing the results of the collaborative research project EuropeDebate, this article discusses the present and future of European history as a field of research. It analyzes how the rise of global history has affected this field by challenging Eurocentric perspectives, revealing the limitations of national-centric narratives, and highlighting the global entanglements of European nations and regions. While some scholars see global history as a threat to European history as a field, others view it as a catalyst for rethinking national narratives and fostering transnational and comparative approaches. The article argues that European history is not a unified entity but a dynamic and diverse field, shaped by various perspectives, national contexts, and political realities. Despite theoretical consensus on the importance of transnational perspectives, national introspection remains dominant in European historiography. This persistence of the nation-state as the primary unit of analysis hinders the development of a truly integrated and nuanced understanding of European history. It is necessary to deconstruct Eurocentric biases, embrace transnational and comparative approaches, and move beyond the limitations of the nation-state as a primary unit of analysis. Ultimately, the authors advocate for a more inclusive and multilayered approach to European history, one that acknowledges its complex and interconnected nature within a global context. Thus understood, European history remains relevant in an age of globalization. It offers valuable insights into the diverse historical experiences and political realities shaping contemporary Europe. By employing transnational and comparative methodologies, historians can challenge simplistic narratives and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Europe's complex past and present. Резюме: Подводя итоги совместного исследовательского проекта ЕвроДебат (EuropeDebate), авторы статьи обсуждают настоящее и будущее европейской истории как сферы исследований. Они анализируют влияние на эту область набирающей популярность глобальной истории, которая бросает вызов европоцентризму, демонстрируя ограниченность нациецентричных нарративов и подчеркивая глобальные переплетения европейских стран и регионов. В то время как одни исследователи видят в глобальной истории угрозу традиционной европейской истории, другие рассматривают ее как катализатор переосмысления национальных нарративов и освоения транснациональных и сравнительных п