Continuity theory (history)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Continuity theory (from the Latin continuare "continue coherently continue") refers to the science of history a system of ideas , assertions or stories ( narratives ) regarding the continuity of a particular object or facts over a given period of time, especially of cultural , linguistic or ethnic phenomena . Theories of continuity classify phenomena from different times in an overall context.

distribution

Theories of continuity are widespread in older historical studies and were often associated with national (istic) and ideological interests (compare historical function of the origines gentis ).

Often continuity theories were / are intended to legitimize national claims . The Dako-Romance continuity theory was used in Romania to historically legitimize the Romanians' claim to the whole of Romania . In the first half of the 20th century z. In part, the (temporary) settlement of the Polish area by Germanic tribes during the migration period was used to justify the claim to these areas ("old Germanic settlement soil"). The special emphasis on the Silingians as a Germanic people in Silesia belongs in this context . In Albania , the theory of a possible descent of the Albanians from the Illyrians has recently been emphasized, with which the claim to parts of the historical Illyria as a “legitimate right” is sometimes underpinned , independently of “interim” migrations . Another example of nationally effective emphasis on continuity is the connection of Slav-Macedonian history with ancient Macedonia of Philip and Alexander the Great . Remarkably, some Greek nationalists react to this by emphasizing the “always” Greek character of Macedonia. Likewise, the continuity theory of the Serb Radivoje Pešić is to be evaluated, he also assumes a much earlier presence of the Slavs in the Balkans than the generally accepted one. Hence his claim that Homer must have spoken a Slavic dialect (Pešić, 1989).

In many nations , thoughts of continuity play an important role in national pride. So refer z. For example, some Turkish historians also include the entire (pre-Turkish) history of today's Turkey in their national history .

The efforts to claim a particularly old cultural tradition for themselves, especially in Asia over the past decades, are closely related to the importance of continuity for the respective national history, insofar as cultural achievements long past are claimed for the respective current nation, e.g. For example, when Indian historians date the highly cultural beginnings of the Indus culture back and forth as a “genuinely Indian” culture (now up to 6,000 BC), or try to provide the earliest Chinese history with dates that are as exact as possible. Various Southeast and East Asian countries are also arguing about where the beginnings of rice cultivation can be found. The beginning of silk making as an important cultural product is also dated as early as possible.

Ideas of continuities within cultural groups belong in another context, e.g. B. the idea of ​​a special continuity of the anti-Semitic orientation in the German tradition with the historian Daniel Goldhagen .

Scientific classification

The idea of ​​historical continuity in general is in a certain sense a basic prerequisite for historical work. B. in the thought of historical development , historical causal processes and also forms a prerequisite for understanding past times. However, it is hardly suitable for bridging large cultural periods and gaps. In the last decades of the 20th century, the notion of historical continuity has been criticized in many ways. B. by Michel Foucault . From a constructivist point of view, continuity is only the product of the historian's work when he works out connections and relationships.

See also

literature

  • Allan A. Lund : German ideology in National Socialism. On the reception of Tacitus' “Germania” in the “Third Reich” . Winter, Heidelberg 1995. ISBN 3-8253-0243-1
  • Jan Hirschbiegel : The "Germanic continuity theory" of Otto Höfler . In: ZSHG 117 (1992), pp. 181-198.

Web links