Is history repeating itself? Nationalism in Europe and the breakdown of the old order

As part of the LSE’s Night of Ideas event, Christophe Charle spoke about the uncanny parallels between current political developments and the cultural history of Europe in the 19th and early 20th century. A breakdown of the old cultural order led to the exchange of ideas and trade, then a nationalist backlash. In this essay, he argues that although direct comparisons are unwarranted, there are lessons to be learned.