Can Germany’s past be a weapon for democracy or just a myth?
Germany's relationship with its past has been a topic of intense debate. While some, like historian Karl Schlögel, reduce history to a narrative of inevitability, others argue for a more applied historical science to strengthen democracy. Our independent, left-wing newspaper explores these contrasting views.
Schlögel, in his acceptance speech, replaced historical analysis with mythological thinking, using history as a shield to smooth over moral ruptures. This approach has been criticized as more ideological than scholarly, legitimizing the present rather than exploring the past objectively.
In quieter times, Germans briefly acknowledge the German murder of the Jews on November 9, only for Carnival to begin on November 11. This stark contrast highlights the nation's complex relationship with its history.
Thomas Weber advocates for an applied historical science, turning knowledge into a tool for democracy. Philipp Ruch has established a Council on History to apply historical foresight to political action, specifically to respond to the rise of the AfD. The Council discussed why democracies fail from internal decay and how to resist fascism.
Germany, a nation of historians, grapples with its past in various ways. While some like Schlögel use history to legitimize the present, others like Weber and Ruch argue for a more applied historical science to strengthen democracy and resist extremism.
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