The politics of history must be open to contestation

Getting the politics of the past right is an important determinant of global peace and conflict, argued Thorsten Benner in the opening speech at a conference in Bonn welcoming the new Humboldt Foundation German Chancellor fellows from Brazil, China, India, Russia and the US. Vergangenheitspolitik (politics of history) is a key factor in the geopolitical game between a still dominant US, a rising China, other emergent powers, and a declining but vocal Russia. Benner questioned whether autocratic regimes can engage in responsible politics of the past based on open questioning.