Eric Hobsbawm on Nationalism and Distorting History: A Critical Reflection
In a thought-provoking segment from "Hobsbawm: A Life in History," broadcast on BBC 4 on April 12, 2012, the late distinguished historian Eric Hobsbawm, interviewed by Simon Schama, delved into the intricate challenges and distortions facing the study of history. In this conversation, Hobsbawm highlighted the emergence of identity-based histories and the troubling rise of nationalism.
He discussed the critical distinctions between fact and fiction in historical narratives and stressed the importance of a critical approach to the study of history. Citing examples such as Georgia, Hobsbawm illustrated the ways in which nationalism and identity politics can distort historical truth for political ends. His insights underscore the significant responsibilities that historians must undertake to combat these manipulations. Below is the excerpt from his interview:
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