What Does History Teach Us?

History: What Have We Learned?


Do we ever really learn from history? Reading a history book, I am reminded that the current economic conditions are echoes from the past and that those past echoes include civil unrest. Revolutions have repeatedly been fought by those who, at the time, had nothing to lose but their life, and that life may have been numbered by days. No homes, no food, no job, no hope, a recipe for the desperate to grab at any thin thread of survival. Those who have not, in their frustration, attack those who have. Monarchies have tumbled, Shahs overthrown, and Presidents replaced. What, if things don't turn around in the near future, does America face? Will we have a nation broken into countries to replacethe individual states? As a country, we have arrogantly attempted to manipulate other country's economies and governments. At what point does representative government appear to the citizens as the privileged oppressing the underprivileged under the guise of speaking for the underprivileged? How long do you think it will be before the desperate go that further step?

How do you think those two hundred years into the future will interpret our history? In an attempt to see what they may see, think about this: The Twentieth Century was characterized
by short periods not employed in some type of war. The Great Depression was eclipsed by economic distress in the early part of the Twenty-First Century. Although a time of great discoveries and scientific advances, the Twentieth Century was also marked by some of the greatest scandals and most notorious crimes/criminals. While a seeming age of prosperity, where even some of the lower classes owned their own homes, not all was rosy around the world. Ethiopia, for example, had devastating famine and scores of people in refugee camps due to government uncertainties and infighting.

There comes a point in which the suffering don't much care how or who fixes the problem, but that it appears fixed. They are looking for some sort of Messiah that can promise relief. The long term at this point is not a consideration. They wish to eat today. This sets up a dangerous vacuum in which a ruthless leader, similar to Hitler or Lenin, have opportunity to step into the forefront. Politics are disregarded in favor of economics. Once the economics start turning around, discovering the mistake of leader choice can be faced. Too late, but now how to deal with a despot? Or do we?

The answer? If it was that easy, there would not be a problem, would there?