Spurious Clarity

The video discusses the complex relationship between historical inquiry and public policy, emphasizing the historian's perspective that clarity often leads to more confusion. It contrasts the historian's nuanced approach with the policymaker's need for clear, actionable answers. The speaker cautions against the impulse to simplify historical narratives, as this can lead to conflict and misunderstanding, drawing on examples from the 18th and 19th centuries.

How does the author describe the historical attempts to create clarity since the 19th century?

What examples does the book provide regarding the consequences of the impulse for clarity?