Historian Dick Harrison at Lund University warns against overdramatizing the significance of the present compared to history. Amid unexpected events like Donald Trump's claim on Greenland, he emphasizes that such surprises are normal. He highlights an unusual peace in Western Europe since 1945.
It may feel like historical events are succeeding one another in an exceptional time, but according to Professor Dick Harrison at Lund University, we are blinded by the present. “We always overdramatize the present's significance compared to what has been before,” he says.
Since Donald Trump returned to the White House a year ago, his actions, including the claim on Greenland, have generated global headlines. Harrison reminds us of previous unexpected events such as the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and World War II. “That things happen completely unexpectedly, that is normal, nothing strange at all,” he explains.
He emphasizes that Western Europe has had peace since 1945, except for the riots in Northern Ireland—a unique period historically. What will be noted in history books is the US election of a “completely unpredictable nutjob” as president in 2016. “And people will probably find that a bit amusing because it adds some color,” Harrison adds.
Greenland's current spotlight is due to our geographical proximity; in Latin America, the focus would be on Venezuela or Mexico. “Now he happens to trample on our backyard and then we notice it, but he does much rougher things in Latin America,” he says. Harrison also notes that we forget quickly: “We are already starting to forget the Gaza war.”
