Historical Times and Turning Points in a Turbulent Century: 1914, 1945, 1989 and 2014?

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This chapter discusses six historical times. Cosmic and geological time are concepts used in the context of the history of the universe and earth. Technical and structural times (in the framework of ‘technical revolutions’ and ‘international orders’) can hardly be modified by governments and policymakers. Conjunctural time (in economics and politics) and short-lived events have in some cases become triggers for turning points. They fundamentally change global structures that are usually beyond the influence of policymakers in office. These six historical times and changing global contexts, political turning points, global transformations and transitions are discussed for international orders in the twentieth century. The chapter argues that the Industrial Revolution triggered the silent transition in geological time that resulted in the global transformation of technological, economic and political systems and of international relations. The catastrophe of 1914 led to World War I and the order of Versailles collapsed with the outbreak of World War II. The global peaceful change of 1989 resulted not in a period of sustainable peace but in a new global disorder and in global environmental challenges. It is uncertain whether humankind will understand the consequences of a situation where “we are in the Anthropocene” and “we are the threat” and “we alone can become the solution”.