On the Uses of History
Are the great historical narratives coming back in international politics? How do societies use history? What is a good historical analogy — and what is not? GA!’s founder Hugo Abrial sits down with Prof. Beatrice de Graaf to unpack the mechanics of the different uses of history in our society and in international politics.
Utrecht University · ADAPT Academy· Ter Info ·
About this episode
Historical narratives are back at the centre of international politics — invoked by leaders, embedded in foreign policy, and weaponised in moments of crisis. But how do societies actually use history? And when does drawing on the past illuminate the present, rather than distort it?
In this episode, GA!’s founder Hugo Abrial sits down with Prof. Beatrice de Graaf — one of Europe’s leading historians on security, crisis, and international relations — to explore the mechanics behind the different uses of history in public discourse and global affairs.
About the guest
Beatrice de Graaf is Professor of History of International Relations & Global Governance at Utrecht University. Her expertise spans terrorism, security, and the modern history of Europe, and she is widely regarded as one of the foremost voices in European public debate on how history shapes political action. She is the recipient of the NWO Stevin Prize and a member of the Academia Europaea.
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