Ebook: Methods in World History: A Critical Approach

Methods of World History is the very first international volume to systematically address a number of methodological problems specific to the discipline named World History. The authors have been prompted by the too many publications in the field that have too many weaknesses for their conclusions to be trusted. The authors therefore advocate that a considerable sharpening of the tools used for global history has to be achieved if the discipline is to deserve any serious recognition inside as well as outside academia. Theories that are constructed on weak basis run an obvious risk of resulting in flawed assumptions, and moreover also give false support to other, more ideological intents. A dedicated critical approach will thwart such risks. Each author addresses a particular question of method in her essay; discussing the problems, suggesting solutions and giving practical examples along the way, trying to overcome the difficulties. The perspectives are varied, the criticism sharp and concretion is the key concept in this unique anthology. The book should be of great help to the advanced scholar as well as to the student who has only just started to find her way in the field of world history.