The Shadow of the Past: How History Shapes the Present



Although we do not always realize it, the past is usually present in our attitudes, our assumptions and our guesses about the future. This lecture focuses on the ways in which history shapes the thinking and decisions of policy-makers. Drawing on key moments in recent history, from the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 to President George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq, Margaret MacMillan will explore the ways in which history can intersect with policy-making. Return to the event page