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.