In ‘Interpretations’ the editors invite scholars to explore and debate central issues, concepts or problems encountered in the study of contemporary European history. Recent sections have dealt with ‘Political Religion’ (18:4) and consumerism (20:1). Here, Peter Baldwin takes issue with Richard J. Evans's characterisation of British historians as peculiarly ‘cosmopolitan’. Evans provides an energetic defence of his thesis, and Baldwin responds with an equally robust rejoinder.