WHO MAKES HISTORY IN OUR TIME?

Everything that matters today affects all of us

Some hundred years ago our sense of history was firmly rooted in our national identity. For people in my country history first of all was Dutch history. For the English, for the French, for Americans and so on it was much the same.

The western world as we know it was not yet born, alliances did exist, but they served national interests and ambitions first of all. Twice we experienced the demise of German ambitions – and perhaps we witnessed the end of German history altogether. French history had long been dead and buried, probably with Napoleon, and no Charles de Gaulle could reverse that.

But doesn’t this apply to almost all nations? In the post WWII era most of the world moved towards multi-polarity, a situation in which no single nation effectively makes history unless is does so in conjunction with others. Thus, another Europe emerged – another European story, very different from the history - or histories - preceding it. Has this Europe effectively made history?

In any case I can say that Dutch history no longer exists. And as far as I can see, the same applies not only to French but also English history. And hasn’t American history too grown more vague and undefined? A few decades ago we could still think in terms of an American epoch, a kind of new Rome, lasting for centuries. But it didn’t come. The US are now just another dinner plate at the G20 summit. And so are Russia, China and most certainly ‘Europe’. One may be stronger (in whatever dimension) than the other, they may switch places, but no American, Russian or Chinese era will emerge.

Perhaps the only thing that is left is world history, from now on. Whether we like it or not. 

• I write this in a time which lacks historic significance, we live in a void (awaiting something epic )
• In the mean time we still have a story, or stories to tell
• But the great challenges we face and probably any great future event will be global, they are bound to affect our entire planet.

No single country will tackle the climate issue or our decreasing biodiversity. Both indeed are questions of global significance. Therefore whatever history is effected, it will be global history.

Even so, single countries can make a significant contribution. It still matters we exist, wherever and whoever we are.

ITS FICTION IS THE GREATEST GIFT OF EVERY GENERATION

Teddy Roosevelt portrayed in the TV-series The Alienist

Not the facts, but our fantasies count most in the future

I was watching a new TV-series called The Alienist. It is set in New York the late 19th century, the era of the Robber Barons, with J.P. Morgan as their Zeus at the pinnacle. The Catholic Church is involved intimately. The series offer an excellent representation of the rich and the poor, the vicious and the righteous. Teddy Roosevelt is portrayed as the New York commissioner of police, a position he never held. But he is pictured as a hero of a kind, so the American sentiments about him are fully satisfied.

There is much to say for history to be explained with fiction. The TV-series present a very credible view of the world of the late 1890’s in America. And yes, much government effort went into stemming the tide of corruption. As a president Teddy Roosevelt in fact succeeded in crushing the Robber Baron monopolies.  It is what the civilized world has always done, to pass its greatest fiction, myths and legends, alongside its history, and sometimes intermingled, from generation to generation.

And then there is fiction elevated to become history. The genesis of Christianity is the great example. The four Gospels are an effort in deliberately historicizing fiction that already floated for many decades. Our era is based on the birth date of someone who never existed. The life of Jesus was created as the people’s most desired fiction of God’s love and personal sacrifice but also as a mighty vehicle to command the historical process thereafter. Thus the powerful fantasy of one religion became the historical backbone of our entire civilization.

In fact, most civilizations have some historicized fantasy at their heart. Similarly quite a few myths are the heart of national histories. Think of King Arthur and his Camelot, or Homer’s Odyssey.

Given the vast and detailed historical records of our time, it is far less likely for our fiction to become historicized in a similar way. Even so, the day may come when people are led to believe that Superman really existed. Or it may be the the reverse: history being turned into legend. This may be the case, for instance, with the story of Anne Frank or the life and times of John F. Kennedy and his Camelot.

Otherwise, even without becoming historicized much of the fiction of our generation has the potential to far outlive our history. Think of the many epic movies we pass on, both of fiction and fictionalized history. Who will know, many thousands of years from now, which one was true and which one wasn’t? In the end the truth of it all doesn’t really matter. It is what we wish to believe.

CALL ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

YOUR PRESIDENT HAD ALL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE HIS POINTS, HIS OBJECTIONS OR DOUBTS

I think he should still be given this opportunity. The participant nations in the Paris Climate Treaty should preferably take the initiative soon. The should cordially invite the US president to clarify his case, and perhaps offer help in overcoming severe obstacles.

I am expressing this from my deepest personal – family – roots in the history of the American people. And in a sense, given that ancestry, I am American too, even as a 100% Dutchman. All of us – in the United States and Europe – share this fundamental history, and the values that went with it. 

It would truly be a shock to us all if we cannot share one of the greatest challenges in human history, the preservation of the livelihood of our planet.