Maine Policy Review

Volume 28 Issue 2

2019

At the Confluence of Public olicyP and History: The Value of Historical Thinking in Public Policy Development

Daniel S. Soucier University of Maine, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Soucier, Daniel S. . "At the Confluence of Public olicyP and History: The Value of Historical Thinking in Public Policy Development." Maine Policy Review 28.2 (2019) : 58 -59, https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol28/iss2/8.

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INTERSECTIONS

At the Confluence of Public Policy and History: The Value of Historical Thinking in Public Policy Development

by Daniel Soucier

n 2011, while campaigning in New a working-class political junkie and implemented. Humanities provide us IHampshire for the Republican family tech guru. It was listening to with skepticism in the face of the facts nomination for president, Michelle politicians making historical mischarac- and truths of STEM. Bachmann declared, “You’re the state terizations that got me interested in the In this same issue, Anna Bartel where the shot was heard around the study of history. argues that if “policy is a set of codes and world at Lexington and Concord.” Here, I came into political awareness guidelines to advance the common good” Bachmann referred to the outbreak of during the height of the Tea Party in then the humanities allow us to “imagine armed conflict between the American 2009. Both sides—the left and the and explore the common good in general Colonies and the British Empire during right—were invoking the American and to understand and address particular the Revolutionary War (1775–1783) Revolution and the founding of America issues that obstruct it” (Bartel 2015: and the subsequent creation of the in differing and contradictory ways. I 118). She identifies the four stages United States. The problem, however, often found myself asking: Who is of public policy—conceptualization, was the “shot heard round the world” right? Who is wrong? Can both sides be crafting, implementation, and evalua- occurred in Concord, Massachusetts, not right? What are the nuances and tion—and the role the humanities can Concord, New Hampshire. Bachmann complexities of history playing out in play at each step. The toolkit of the is not alone in making historical gaffes this election? How can I better educate historian is well-equipped for enhancing as a politician. Several other candidates myself as a citizen to make better choices policy decisions at each of these stops during that campaign season joined in the voting booth? It was this intersec- along the way (Green 2016). Historians her, as did President Obama. More tion between policy and history that led can identity what the issues are and how recently, President Trump described the me to pursue an MA and PhD in they have evolved over time, who the Continental Army taking over airports history. To the discerning readers of stakeholders have been, who has been and manning aircraft during the conflict Maine Policy Review, the assertion of involved in the decision-making process over a century before the technology the role of a historian in public policy and who has been excluded. Historians existed. These missteps may seem harm- may not seem out of place. Indeed, the can also identify social and cultural less or simply unintelligent; however, journal published an entire issue of the complexities underpinning tensions distorting history—especially by the intersections of the humanities and between and among stakeholders, nation’s top decision makers—is poten- policy. Within it, guest editor Liam government agencies, local enforcement tially dangerous. Executive director of Riordan defines the humanities as the officials, and industrial leaders. the American Historical Association, “qualitative dimensions of human exis- Understanding this context is essential Jim Grossman describes that, “history tence.” (Riordan 2015: 12) In other for the crafting and implementation of provides legitimacy…we draw analyses words, it is science, technology, engi- effective policy that is based on consensus of public life, and we make policy, we neering, and mathematics (STEM) that and compromise instead of coercion or justify policy, we make arguments, we can tell us how to engineer, execute, chicanery. In the assessment of policy, draw our narratives based on notions of and implement automation and artifi- historians can measure and compare the past” (Diegelbaum 2011). cial intelligence; however, it is in the qualitative changes and continuities over I am often asked what a historian is humanities and an understanding of time and evaluate the complex ways doing working as a digital communica- history that allows us to ask why policy affects culture and society. tions specialist and research associate we need this technology, what possible There is a perception in the United for the Margaret Chase Smith Policy social and cultural impacts it could States that anyone can do history. Center. Before I was an academic, I was have, and whether or not it should be However, policymakers, journalists,

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business leaders, and economic REFERENCES researchers often lack the historical Diegelbaum, Debbie. 2011. “Revisionist toolkit that is acquired through academic History: Politicians Rewrite the Past to training in the discipline. Karin Wulf, Suit Their Present.” The Hill, June 20, professor of history at William & Mary, 2011. https://thehill.com/capital-living /cover-stories/167475-revisionist argues in that -history-politicians-rewrite-the-past “like medicine, law or engineering, -to-suit-their-present history is a profession for which scholars Bartel, Anna S. 2015. “Why the Humanities spend years learning crucial skills and Are Necessary to Public Policy, and absorbing bodies of work that help them How.” Maine Policy Review 24(1): to interpret the past.” (“What Naomi 117–122. https://digitalcommons.library Wolf and Cokie Roberts Teach Us about .umaine.edu/mpr/vol24/iss1/33/ the Need for Historians,” June 11, 2019). Green, Alix R. 2016. History, Policy and Wulf noted how Cokie Roberts and Public Purpose: Historians and Naomi Wolf, two respected journalists, Historical Thinking in Government. New York: Palgrave MacMillan. drew erroneous conclusions about the past by misinterpreting key historical Riordan, Liam. 2015. “The Fabulous Promise and Practical Need for evidence. Why did this occur? Because the Humanities in the Twenty-First the two journalists did not understand Century.” Maine Policy Review 24(1): the historical context of the topics they 12–17. https://digitalcommons.library researched, remained unaware of the .umaine.edu/mpr/vol24/iss1/3/ scholarly literature surrounding their respective topics—Victorian England Daniel S. and nineteenth century women’s Soucier is a health—and they were unfamiliar with research asso- terminology that popped up in historical ciate at the documents. Margaret Chase Policymakers have the paramount Smith Policy task of shaping the world we live in. Center where Their decisions affect how people live, he serves as a work, seek care, fulfill needs and wants, digital commu- travel, purchase goods, and plan their nications specialist. As an environmental future. Conversations between those historian, Soucier’s research focuses on who study how policy decisions affected the intersections between geopolitics and society in the past and those tasked with the natural world. He is an instructor in the shaping the future are a benefit to all. Maine Studies program as well as in the The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center Department of History at the University of informs public policy processes and soci- Maine. etal decision-making through research focused on critical issues facing Maine and . We welcome policy- makers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals to contact us to discuss the intersections of history, current events, and public policy. -

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