This new collection by Walter Laqueur, one of the most
distinguished historians and political commentators of the
twentieth and twenty-first centuries, vividly brings to life his
perspective on fifty years of political life. The essays in this
volume deal with events ranging from more than seventy years ago to
some that have not yet happened, but may in years to come. Laqueur
divides his writings into five main areas: optimism in politics,
the topic that unites this volume; Europe; the Arab Spring; Israel
and Jewish affairs; and recollections of the past. This volume
addresses an increasingly important question: How much optimism do
we need in politics? Some neuroscientists believe that many of our
assessments rest on an excess of optimism amounting to a dangerous
bias. Another school of cognitive scientists sees the main danger
in being influenced too much by negative conclusions. Although
these competing perspectives have been only rarely investigated,
Laqueur argues that such psychological factors play a decisive role
in the assessment of political trends, and they should. Laqueur
also reminds readers that there is a connection between writing
history and commenting on current affairs, but it is not remotely
as close and simple as often thought. The idea that the historian
is somehow better qualified than others to interpret the present,
let alone predict the future, is certainly not borne out by the
evidence. Some great historians have been good and reliable
political commentators, others have been miserable failures.
Laqueur definitely falls in the former camp, as these reflections
attest.
General
| Imprint: |
Routledge
|
| Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
| Release date: |
November 2017 |
| First published: |
2014 |
| Authors: |
Walter Laqueur
|
| Dimensions: |
229 x 152 x 23mm (L x W x T) |
| Format: |
Paperback
|
| Pages: |
272 |
| ISBN-13: |
978-1-138-51281-8 |
| Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
Politics & government >
General
|
| LSN: |
1-138-51281-8 |
| Barcode: |
9781138512818 |
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
