In Search of Homo Globalis:

Testing the Limits of the Global History

Abstract

The article proposes a mapping and reflection on the trajectory of the discipline called Global History, with an emphasis on its theoretical-methodological and empirical foundations. Throughout the text, its most prominent criteria and practices are examined, including its central issues and specificities, that is, transnational events, phenomena, processes, scenarios and circumstances. Its potential, virtues and challenges are corroborated, especially regarding its societal relevance, interdisciplinarity, innovative effort and dedication to the production of situated knowledge based on evidence. In a time of evident and multidimensional global transformations, the discipline in question is of undeniable and unavoidable relevance, impact and necessity, especially in the case of historical research carried out “in”, “for” and “from” Brazil and other nations in development. Also, the manuscript considers the affinities, complementarities and synergies that exist between Global History and the History of International Relations. Taking as reference the parable of an utopic Global Man/Citizen – or Homo Globalis –, the article uses the format of an approximation essay and the technique of integrative review of specialized literature and secondary sources.