The Problem of History

ABSTRACT The ongoing “historical turn” in political science makes it more important than ever that we, as a profession, have open conversations about the nature of evidence we enlist from trained historians. This article emphasizes “history” should be recognized an—often speculative and incomplete—interpretation bygone times places no longer can know for sure. Much what commonly believe past depends on narrative sources written long after fact influenced by later circumstances points view, outdated historical research, or singular often biased contemporary sources. Discussing how to respond this “problem history,” calls shift cognitive style: is, treating work historians self-conscious critical way clearly signaling when present our research. Three particular guidelines— up-to-date , specific cautious —exemplify approach.