신문화사의 도전과 사회사의 응전

The Response of Social History to the Challenge of New Cultural History : A Review on Recent Discussions on the Postmodernism in German Historiography

The Paper presents a critical review on recent discussions on the postmodernism in German historiography, by analyzing social historians' attitudes towards New Cultural History(NCH) during the time from the late 1980s to the present. The response of the representatives of Social History(SH) to the challenge of NCH in Germany can be characterized by duality: Being eager to accept the various methods of NCH, they are skeptical about using the concept ‘culture' as an alternative to ‘society', because it neglects the conflict between classes or groups in a society. Therefore, they accept the cardinal concept of NCH only as a new perspective not as a paradigmatic concept. With the impact of NCH, a series of changes have been occurring among representatives of SH: Firstly, the meaning of the concept ‘structure' changed from ‘external condition' to ‘medium of social action'. Secondly, interpretation and explanation are no longer regarded as opposed but as complementary methods to each other. Thirdly, the meaning of the form of historical writing is considered much more important than before. Many social historians call this change 'the revival of narrative'. But, it should not to be neglected that supporters of SH still adhere to enlightenment against NCH. Their adherence to enlightenment, the very core of modernism, is closely connected with their critical view of German history. To liquidate their shameful past which culminated in the experience of Holocaust, they emphasize critical mind which is formed through historical studies. They regard enlightenment as an inevitable heritage of modern Europe to overcome the significant problems of modern society. In this point, their theoretical position is distinct from that of NCH.