Transnational history

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Transnational history is a kind of history or the study of history in the science of history , in which the historical perspective on the nationally fixed and limited interpretation of history a national history goes and orientation of the discipline is thus global and world history.

The multitude of topics and research fields that can be examined from a transnational perspective and thus belong to transnational history is large and indicates a considerable potential of the approach. Modern globalization in particular has contributed to the upswing of this perspective, but it does not stop at historical considerations, but also analyzes previous transnational phenomena. Its main organizational body is the history.transnational project, in which various specialist forums and international research groups from various disciplines are organized. The main goals are to research transnational social, political, economic and cultural networks and their effects on local or national conditions.

Transnational history does not see itself as a “school” or a paradigm , but as an approach to history alongside others.

Concept history

The term “transnational” was established in the 1960s and 1970s in connection with “transnational politics” or “transnational relations” by Karl Kaiser, Walter Bühl, Robert Keohane and Josef Nye. In the history and social sciences, the approach has continuously gained in relevance since 1989. "[...] transnational [are] initially generally referred to as all those interactions between individuals, groups, organizations and states [...] which act across borders and thereby develop structural patterns that go beyond the nation state". It is about transfer processes that develop between societies and the resulting transnational networks. The importance of these entanglements and networks is based on the assumption that “the emergence and development of the modern world can be seen as a 'common history'”, in which different societies share certain insights and shape the world through interaction and interdependence.

Developing the transnational history approach

The popularity of the transnational and world historical perspective goes hand in hand with the political, economic and cultural phenomena of the present. Especially since the 1990s, with the end of the Cold War, there has been a widespread, global interest in historical and social science topics. In addition, there is a general interest in world history problems, not least because of the insight that events in other parts of the world influence one's own life. The transnational historiography makes use of scientific methods, e.g. B. historical comparatistics, but at the same time - as the original counter-model of comparison - makes use of approaches from the history of relationships, as it has become clear that transfer processes cannot be adequately described without comparisons and the same applies vice versa.

In addition, there is the demand for a demarcation of transnational history from other areas, as one tries to distance oneself from a historiography based on a privileged national history. From a Eurocentric perspective, one would also like to solve global problems, as the idea of ​​European progress and linearity in history, according to Sebastian Conrad , has so far been constructed as a distinction to cultures or societies in other parts of the world. The expansion of international networks that has been advancing over the past few decades, e.g. B. by researchers and scientific organizations, and new forms of communication benefit the transnational approach, as they contribute to the fact that transnational phenomena can be analyzed and interpreted more efficiently.

Methodology of transnational historiography

Transnational history has developed or adopted various instruments to operate this particular form of historiography. The two main methods are historical comparison and transfer analysis . These instruments can already be found with Marc Bloch , who distinguished between the two types of comparative work. The first type includes the investigation of two societies that are spatially and temporally separated from each other to such an extent that there are no transfer relationships between the two, the second type consists of a comparison of spatially close, contemporary societies. In the case of the latter, mutual influencing, the so-called transfer processes, must also be asked. In modern history, however, these categories have evolved:

Historical comparison : The historical comparison is the older method, which is also known in neighboring disciplines such as comparative literature . In transnational historiography, a comparison of phenomena, processes or structures in two (or more) countries is made, in which differences and similarities are worked out and the reference to the category of the nation-state is assumed in most studies.

Transfer analysis: This method is mainly used in the context of so-called transfer studies , which offer a further opportunity to gain knowledge of national and transnational structures. Here, z. B. in research on imperialism, not only the interactions or repercussions on the initial culture (imperial power), but also the influences on the culture of reception (colony (s)). In addition to the exchange of goods, the transfer of knowledge and ideas between areas / countries and the acquisition of new knowledge are researched. The transnational cultural history deals on the one hand with the comparison of nations with regard to social-historical, political-scientific and humanities issues, on the other hand with their exchange processes. For example, Germany and France can be highlighted and compared from a (national) cultural perspective, but the intercultural transfer between the two countries can also be analyzed. In practice, the two perspectives can rarely be clearly separated. In more recent research, the transfer analysis has developed into a leitmotif for which the comparison serves as an aid; older studies tend to emphasize the national comparison and the national, which is then also influenced by transfer processes.

The fields of history of transnational history

As a rule, the instruments of transnational history described cannot be separated so clearly in their application. Comparison, transfer and other methodical procedures are interwoven and complement each other.

In general, transnational history does not see itself as a turn . Therefore, it does not make any paradigmatic or dogmatic requirements with regard to the procedure and the choice of subject. This methodological openness is one of the strengths of this approach. Accordingly, the topics are often highly variable. Furthermore, no only linear story is written. Like the continuities, the breaks are also part of the transnational history. For example, there is interest in "traffic and communication technology innovations of the last few decades", as these enable massive transnational networking - but at the same time there is also interest in "processes of thinning or even the dissolution of ties that have once been made"

In principle, space, time and medium can be freely arranged. For example, there are many opportunities in the transatlantic world, ranging from the history of the slave trade to the history of culinary exchanges and the export of nationalism. Precursors of modern transnational networks would also be of interest, such as expert networks in the early XX. Century. Mental history studies and the culture of remembrance can also be examined.

In this respect, transnational history is often an interdisciplinary matter. In terms of its origins, it sees itself as the interface between “cultural transfer research and global or world history ”. Close relationships develop with neighboring disciplines such as sociology, political science, communication science, but also philosophy or philology. Access is also vice versa, for example Citizenship Studies use the transnational perspective when they analyze developing civil societies beyond “national” borders.

Postcolonial Studies

“Postcolonial Studies” represent a form of transnational historiography. The subject of these studies is the socio-cultural consequences of colonial rule and the mutual influence between colonies and the former imperial powers examined by representatives of former western colonies. Specifically, this means that z. B. Experiences of oppression, resistance, gender, migration etc., can be examined in post-colonial contexts. Particularly since the appearance of Edward Said's “Orientalism”, which expresses a construction of the “Orient” by the West and Western ways of thinking, the research field of “Postcolonial Studies” has attracted interest. As in other forms of transnational investigations, it is also assumed for the postcolonial approaches that the colonization not only had effects on the supposedly colonized, but also on the colonizers. The "Postcolonial Studies" thus also offer the opportunity to uncover the "colonial entanglements" and the consequences of colonialism in the European world and to demonstrate the degree to which colonialism has influenced and shaped the self-image of Europe and that of European societies.

Transnational memory

A special form of transnationalization can be found in the global society's memory of the Holocaust. The first question that arises is who actually belongs to the group of rememberers and whether there is one within this multitude of groups, e.g. B. Jews, Jews and Germans or Europeans who are entitled to a “monopoly of memory”. One could also accept the obligation of other states and nations to remember, so that ultimately the whole world would be involved in the work of remembrance. In their 2002 publication, the sociologists Natan Sznaider and Daniel Levy analyzed the cultural and mass media-borne transnationalization of the collective Holocaust memory, addressing developments in Germany, Israel and the USA. In particular, the "change in the memory landscape" through medialization of the Holocaust memory - also called 'Americanization' or 'Hollywoodization' by critics - with the help of adaptations of the diary of Anne Frank, the Eichmann trial, the TV series "Holocaust" (1978), the film “Schindler's List” (1993) and the debate about Daniel Goldhagen's book “Hitler's Willige Executors” contributed to societies all over the world addressing the issue. The individual states, such as Israel or Germany, are losing influence and global collective memory and transnational media are taking the place of the national framework.

Methodological problems

The transnational approach faces particular methodological problems due to its broad approach. These concern self-relationship, choice of subject and language.

Relation to the concept of the “national” : In the self-understanding of transnational history, the “nation” is always present. It is stated quite explicitly that transnational history is not an “ antithesis to the thesis of conventional national history ”. The evolving justifications for retaining "nation" therefore vary widely. On the one hand, the “nations” provide the foundation and the starting point from which and with which one operates. And even if it is emphasized that transnational history can not only be broken down into "national components", the "nation state or at least a national feeling" are determined as constituent factors. The problem that the “nation” is not a natural unit, but a construct that was created with specific, mainly excluding intentions, and thus also represents a specific approach to history, can in the worst case be lost sight of and lead to a perpetuation of the Invention "Nation" contribute. The only partially traceable talk of “nationalized cultures”, however, distinguishes itself from the pathos of national feeling and thus offers an opportunity to reflect on this problem.

Language and translation problems: More than other historical disciplines that may If you only move in one language area, transnational history is faced with a fundamental language problem. Already in general, within a language there are a number of problems with the interpretability and interpretability of linguistic and written objects. For transnational history, since it by definition not only crosses national borders, but very often also language borders, the question of language understanding and translatability arises. This is a potentially infinite field of "ambiguities [of the language, because of] its indefiniteness and its leeway, [...] then because of the original and essential communication between the various languages ​​throughout history [...]." Is there the uncertainty or the insufficiency of the analysis not in principle or irreducible? ”Here, however, there is a fundamental problem that cannot be circumvented, but probably also cannot be solved.

Self-constituting questions : The transnational perspective harbors the inherent risk of creating the object to be viewed by asking the question. In contrast to the Annales School , for example , which is accused of similar issues due to its theoretical load, the problem with transnational history is such that starting points are usually generated from phenomena within “nations”. If the object is not reflected on and dealt with precisely, there is a risk of projecting it into other societies etc. It presupposes that the specific object actually exists, for example something can be described as a ' bourgeoisie ', that there is an epistemic content that is tangible or objectivable. And further that the exploration or description of the object outside its context of origin is possible, resp. would be useful. Incidentally, this seems to be one of the central problems of comparative analyzes.

Chances of a transnational historical research

On the one hand, the approach of transnational history represents a breakthrough and positive expansion of the hitherto predominant national history. The transnational history thus opens up new approaches to the exploration of history, as it offers the possibility of looking at historical contexts from new and different perspectives that previously existed the limitation of historiography at the nation-state level was not given. Due to the global orientation, it is possible to use larger units than e.g. B. to focus on the nation state. On the other hand, local and regional events are becoming increasingly important due to the increasing permeability of state-political borders, without adopting a strongly micro-historical perspective.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento from March 21, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) [Status: 26.I.2010]
  2. ↑ http://geschichte-transnational.clio-online.net/transnat.asp [Status: 26.I.2010]
  3. ↑ http://geschichte-transnational.clio-online.net/forum/id=573&type=artikel [as of January 26, 2010]
  4. ↑ Kroh, Jens: Transnational Memory. The Holocaust in the focus of historical-political initiatives. Frankfurt / New York 2006, p. 37.
  5. ↑ Hartmut / Kirsch, Martin / Schmidt-Gernig, Alexander: On the development of transnational publics and identities in the 20th century. An introduction, in: This. (Ed.), Transnational Publics and Identities in the 20th Century, Frankfurt am Main / New York 2002, p. 9.
  6. ↑ Eckert, Andreas: Review of: Budde, Gunilla; Conrad, Sebastian; Janz, Oliver (ed.): Transnational history. Topics, tendencies and theories. Göttingen 2006, in: H-Soz-Kult, October 6, 2006. http://hsozkult.geschichte.hu-berlin.de/rezensions/2006-4-050 .
  7. ↑ Eckert, Andreas: Review of: Budde, Gunilla; Conrad, Sebastian; Janz, Oliver (ed.): Transnational history. Topics, tendencies and theories. Göttingen 2006, in: H-Soz-Kult, October 6, 2006. http://hsozkult.geschichte.hu-berlin.de/rezensions/2006-4-050 .
  8. ↑ Transnational History. Topics, tendencies and theories. (Jürgen Kocka on his 65th birthday). Edited by Gunilla Budde, Sebastian Conrad and Oliver Janz, Göttingen, 2006, p. 11f.
  9. ↑ Conrad, Sebastian: Double marginalization. Plea for a transnational perspective on German history, in: Geschichte und Gesellschaft 28 (2002), pp. 145–169.
  10. ^ Wehler, Hans-Ulrich: Transnational history the new royal road of historical research, in: Transnational history. Topics, tendencies and theories. (Jürgen Kocka on his 65th birthday). Edited by Gunilla Budde, Sebastian Conrad and Oliver Janz, Göttingen 2006, p. 162.
  11. ^ Paulmann, Johannes: New historical literature. International comparison and intercultural transfer. Two research approaches on European history from the 18th to the 20th century, in: HZ Volume 267 (1998) p. 667f.
  12. ^ Wehler, Hans-Ulrich: Transnational history the new royal road of historical research, in: Transnational history. Topics, tendencies and theories. (Jürgen Kocka on his 65th birthday). Edited by Gunilla Budde, Sebastian Conrad and Oliver Janz, Göttingen 2006, p. 162.
  13. ↑ See Étienne François, Hannes Siegrist, Jakob Vogel (ed.): Nation and Emotion. Germany and France in comparison; 19th and 20th centuries (= critical studies on historical science . Volume 110). 1995.
  14. ↑ http://geschichte-transnational.clio-online.net/forum/id=573&type=artikel
  15. ^ Dominic Sachsenmaier: Searching For Alternatives to Western Modernity. Cross-Cultural Approaches in the Aftermath of World War I, in: Journal of Modern European History 4, 2006, pages 241-259
  16. ^ Mosche Zimmermann: The transnational Holocaust memory, in: Gunilla Budde, Sebastian Conrad, Oliver Janz: Transnational history. Topics, tendencies and theories, Göttingen 2006, pp. 202–216
  17. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from March 21, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / hsozkult.geschichte.hu-berlin.de
  18. ↑ Eugin F. Isian, Bryan S. Turner [ed.]: Handbook of Citizenship Studies, London 2002, p 281f.
  19. ^ Wehler, Hans-Ulrich: Transnational history the new royal road of historical research, in: Transnational history. Topics, tendencies and theories. (Jürgen Kocka on his 65th birthday). Edited by Gunilla Budde, Sebastian Conrad and Oliver Janz, Göttingen 2006, p. 161.
  20. ↑ Grimm, Sabine: Simply hybrid! Culture-critical approaches in postcolonial studies, in: izw3 No. 223 (September 1997) pp. 39–42. Said, Edward, W .: Orientalism. London 1978.
  21. ↑ Transnational History. Topics, tendencies and theories. (Jürgen Kocka on his 65th birthday). Edited by Gunilla Budde, Sebastian Conrad and Oliver Janz, Göttingen, 2006, p. 12.
  22. ^ Zimmermann, Moshe: The transnational Holocaust memory, in: Transnational history. Topics, tendencies and theories. (Jürgen Kocka on his 65th birthday). Edited by Gunilla Budde, Sebastian Conrad and Oliver Janz, Göttingen 2006, p. 202.
  23. ^ Daniel / Sznaider, Natan: Memory in the Global Age: The Holocaust. Frankfurt am Main 2002.
  24. ^ Lüthi, Barbara: Review of: Budde, Gunilla; Conrad, Sebastian; Janz, Oliver: Transnational History. Topics, tendencies and theories. Göttingen 2006, in: H-Soz-u-Kult, October 12, 2006. http://hsozkult.geschichte.hu-berlin.de/rezensions/2006-4-036 .
  25. ↑ Kroh, Jens: Transnational Memory. The Holocaust in the focus of historical-political initiatives. Frankfurt / New York 2006, pp. 69f.
  26. ^ Levy, Daniel / Sznaider, Natan: Memory in the Global Age: The Holocaust. Frankfurt am Main 2002.
  27. ↑ http://geschichte-transnational.clio-online.net/forum/id=573&type=artikel
  28. ↑ http://geschichte-transnational.clio-online.net/forum/id=573&type=artikel
  29. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from March 21, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / hsozkult.geschichte.hu-berlin.de
  30. ↑ Jacques Derrida: Cogito and the story of madness, in: ders .: The writing and the difference, Frankfurt a. M. 2003; Pp. 53-101, here: p. 55
  31. ↑ Michael Werner, Bénédicte Zimmermann: comparison, transfer, entanglement. The approach of the Histoire croisée and the challenge of the transnational; in: Geschichte und Gesellschaft 28 (2002), pp. 607–636, here: p. 610; Johannes Paulmann: International comparison and intercultural transfer. Two research approaches on European history from the 18th to the 20th century; in: Historische Zeitschrift Vol. 267 (1998), pp. 649-685, here: p. 682
  32. ↑ Eckert, Andreas: Review of: Budde, Gunilla; Conrad, Sebastian; Janz, Oliver (ed.): Transnational history. Topics, tendencies and theories. Göttingen 2006, in: H-Soz-u-Kult, October 16, 2006. http://hsozkult.geschichte.hu-berlin.de/rezensions/2006-4-050 .