Rhetorics and reality : the historiography of British European policy, 1945-73
Drawing on postmodern approaches to the practice of history, this thesis examines the historiography of British policy towards European integration since 1945. Its core argument is that historians are subject to a host of pressures. This argument is developed through analysis of seven factors which have influenced the writing of British European policy. Prime amongst them is the influence on historical interpretation of writers' sociological background. The thesis examines the change in the dominant group of writers in the field from politicians to professional historians. It is only in that context, it explains, that the competing interpretations placed on British European policy can be understood. From here, the six other factors at work on writers are examined: the level of analysis writers use to explain British foreign policy, the approach to intentions and outcomes in the international arena, the use of hindsight and empathy in the writing of history, myth-making in contemporary history, the use of sources and the type of study written. The secondary argument advanced in this thesis is that the changing sociological context of the historiography of Britain and Europe can best be elucidated by mapping
Daddow, Oliver J.
DA Great Britain
Rhetorics and reality : the historiography of British European policy, 1945-73. Drawing on postmodern approaches to the practice of history, this thesis examines the historiography of British policy towards European integration since 1945. Its core argument is that historians are subject to a host of pressures. This argument is developed through analysis of seven factors which have influenced the writing of British European policy. Prime amongst them is the influence on historical interpretation of writers' sociological background. The thesis examines the change in the dominant group of writers in the field from politicians to professional historians. It is only in that context, it explains, that the competing interpretations placed on British European policy can be understood. From here, the six other factors at work on writers are examined: the level of analysis writers use to explain British foreign policy, the approach to intentions and outcomes in the international arena, the use of hindsight and empathy in the writing of history, myth-making in contemporary history, the use of sources and the type of study written. The secondary argument advanced in this thesis is that the changing sociological context of the historiography of Britain and Europe can best be elucidated by mapping
reality historiography british european policy drawing postmodern approach practice history examine historiography_british policy_towards european_integration since core argument historian subject host pressure argument develop analysis factor_influence write british european policy prime amongst influence historical interpretation writer sociological background examines_change dominant group writer field politician professional historian context explain compete interpretation place british european policy understood factor work writer examine level analysis writer use explain british_foreign_policy intention outcomes international arena use empathy write_history myth_making contemporary history use source type study write secondary argument_advance change sociological context historiography britain_europe best elucidate mapping