So, the historian Jurgen Osterhammel sez:

[Kai Frederik Lorentzen]

FYI, Osterhammel was the official speaker at Angela Merkel's 60th 
birthday. By this invitation Merkel made a statement in favor of 
globalization. "Universal history without philosophy of history," as 
Kaube (see link) describes Osterhammel's approach. Which of course fits 
pragmatic-all-too-pragmatic Angie.

http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/juergen-osterhammel-der-laudator-der-kanzlerin-13047426.html


On 15.02.2015 13:34, Mark Kohut wrote:
> All history inclines toward being world history. Agree? Don't?
>
> So, do all historical novels aspire to being world historical novels?
>
> Even if No, does Mason & Dixon aspire to being a world historical novel?
>
> Novels embody symbolic meanings that aspire to being 'limited' world
> truths? MK trying to
> summarize Kenneth Burke (among others) Agree? disagree? ['limited' means
> say, The Great Gatsby is "about' the American Dream, but it is not
> every American dream, so to speak. ]
>
> So, what are some--more--of M & D's world historical meanings? Is it
> second only to Against the Day in that---world historical--regard? (Or
> behind V. or GR? )
> -
> Pynchon-l /http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l
>
>

-
Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l