Europe in the face of Globalisation 1870-1914 – a study of the economic relationship between the European nation states (continuation request)

• Applicant: Dr. Yaman Kouli
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History ; Economic and Social History
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 419898253

For a long time, the rise of the European nation state was interpreted as a process which led to national alienation with countries that showed little interest in European or international cooperation. Recent publications, however, have proved that assumption to be wrong. First, influential networks of intellectuals and scientists had already developed during this period and world exhibitions for the most part took place in European capitals. Moreover, labour markets, capital markets, communication networks, infrastructure etc. were highly entangled – not only, but primarily in Europe. Second, it was an era of numerous intergovernmental congresses which often resulted in new international treaties. Third, the first wave of globalisation significantly increased the economic interdependence of all countries participating in world trade. Thus, some authors even go as far as to argue that the First World War harshly interrupted a development that could otherwise have continued for a long period of time. Given the dominant position of European states in this internationalised world, some historians are convinced that European integration has its roots in the pre-1914 era. According to this position, institutional European integration after 1951 and the high level of international cooperation before 1914 should be interpreted as one long-term phenomenon. The study has three goals: First, is to emphasize that the European nation state was not conceived as a politically isolated phenomenon, on the contrary. Since the second half of the 19th century, politicians have been fully aware of the fact that national regulations and laws can only function if the respective countries are embedded in a network of international contracts and regulations. Second, the project aims to better distinguish between the three notions of globalisation, internationalism and European integration. With a focus on social and patent policy, it can be shown that although international coordination was imperative, the strategies chosen were surprisingly different. Third, it wants to add a historical perspective to the current debate on European integration.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants