Changes in archives' philosophy and functions at the turn of the 20th/21st centuries

摘要

In the last 20-30 years the archives in Europe have undergone tremendous changes. Although the archives have always been ever changing but the changes have accelerated in the 1980s. Nowadays the archives have different requirements, way of thinking and values, they act and react differently as 30 years ago, i.e. they have a different philosophy. The new philosophy can be described in a few words: popularisation, transparency, openness, market approach, media culture and information-centricity. Archives have had basic functions such as to ensure rights, to provide historical sources, to participate in administration and to disseminate culture. The contents of these functions have also changed by the end of the century. Changes are determined by society. In my article I would explore how the dominant ideas and values of the Western world such as equality, freedom, democracy, free market and fair competition, as well as the societal and economic implementation of these ideas such as respect of human rights, transparency, globalisation, IT revolution, market approach, media culture, alienation and individualism have compelled the archives to change their philosophy and functions.