Power of the past: A Habermasian approach to the study of collective war memories in international relations illustrated by recent Franco German relations

The emotional, cognitive and practical-moral dimensions of collective memory On the notion o f praxis as developed by Marx and modified by the Frankfurt School and a critique o f both see: Bubner, 1971 On praxis and the difference to action see: Bernstein, 1972 On the privileged Habermas, 1988b:458 Habermas regards the evolution o f normative structures as the ‘pace maker of social evolution’, because it enables the implementation o f new forces o f production and the increase This also gives a historical perspective to Halbwachs’ general claim that collective memory requires social meaning and bonding According to Habermas’ theory o f social evolution, this only applies to de­ Habermas’ theory of social evolution and discourse ethics Developing a Habermasian framework for the study of collective war memories The current crisis of national war memories: on the road to post­ conventionality? The divided war memories in West and East Germany: 1945- This was based on Allied Control Council proclamation no 2 from 20 September 1945 that was later confirmed by the Allied Supreme Council law no 34 from 20 August 1946 For a discussion on the Essentialising and conventional remembering of past wars with Germany in France between 1871 and