Description

Book Synopsis
Since the end of the Second World War, the political rationale to remember the past has shifted from previous focus on states'' victories, as these began commemorating their own historical crimes. This Element follows the rise of ''auto-critical memory'', or the politics of remembrance of a country''s own dark past. The Element explores the idea''s gestation in West Germany after the Second World War, its globalisation through initiatives of ''transitional justice'' in the 1990s, and present-day debates about how to remember the colonial past. It follows different case studies that span the European continent ? including Germany, France, Britain, Poland and Serbia ? and places these in a global context that traces the circulation of ideas of auto-critical memory. Ultimately, as it follows the emergence of demands for social and racial justice, the Element questions the usefulness of memory to achieve the goals many political actors ascribe to it.

Dealing with Dark Pasts

    Product form

    £17.00

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 12 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback by Itay Lotem

    15 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Dealing with Dark Pasts by Itay Lotem

      Publisher: Cambridge University Press
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 1/16/2025
      ISBN13: 9781009114141, 978-1009114141
      ISBN10: 100911414X
      Also in:
      History: theory and methods

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Since the end of the Second World War, the political rationale to remember the past has shifted from previous focus on states'' victories, as these began commemorating their own historical crimes. This Element follows the rise of ''auto-critical memory'', or the politics of remembrance of a country''s own dark past. The Element explores the idea''s gestation in West Germany after the Second World War, its globalisation through initiatives of ''transitional justice'' in the 1990s, and present-day debates about how to remember the colonial past. It follows different case studies that span the European continent ? including Germany, France, Britain, Poland and Serbia ? and places these in a global context that traces the circulation of ideas of auto-critical memory. Ultimately, as it follows the emergence of demands for social and racial justice, the Element questions the usefulness of memory to achieve the goals many political actors ascribe to it.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account