This week, ending in January 28 2016:
Today's thread is for open discussion of:
History in the academy
Historiographical disputes, debates and rivalries
Implications of historical theory both abstractly and in application
Philosophy of history
And so on
Regular participants in the Thursday threads should just keep doing what they've been doing; newcomers should take notice that this thread is meant for open discussion only of matters like those above, not just anything you like -- we'll have a thread on Friday for that, as usual.
I thought I'd re-ask a question from earlier about the "Lost Cause" mythology of the Civil War. I was wondering to what extent historians were responsible for its success, and (if so) what historians do nowadays to avoid contributing to such myths?
I'm looking for Marxist interpretations of the late medieval period in Europe (birth of capitalism, growing urbanization, rising bourgeoisie, etc). I've read what Engels/Marx wrote on the subject in Capital vol II but I wondered if any more contemporary Marxist historians have revised the classic view. I'm particularly interested in late medieval ideology.
Note that I'm looking for sources. I'm not necessarily in need of a write-up on the matter, although I'd be happy to hear your perspectives.