Britain and Europe since 1945 Historiographical perspectives on integration [Paperback]

This important book offers a refreshing and challenging perspective on the nature of history by analysing the character, role, functioning and wider uses of historiography. Taking British policies towards European integration since the Second World War as a case study, the author demonstrates how its interpretation and reportage over time is subject to changing trends. Seeking to explain these trends in terms of the different conceptions of the past which are maintained by different schools of writing, it forces us to confront the fundamental difficulties we encounter in undertaking studies in history. It draws attention to the impact on historical interpretation of changing times, political discourse, the opening of archives, and of subjects being brought to the fore by professional historians.

Acknowledgements

List of abbreviations

List of images

Introduction: Using history, making policy

1. Method and argument

2. The orthodox school

3. The revisionist school

4. The historiography in current perspective

Conclusion: Historians and historiography

Rethinking the history debate

Policy-relevant history

Future research

Bibliography

Index

Oliver Daddow is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Loughborough University