History as a discipline is highly subjective. A common feature ascribed to History is that it is written by the victors, both military and ideological, and through this can seek to further their own stance or actions, and to discredit others.
To what extent can History be used as a judge for potential policy? Is there a corrosion of relavence the further back we go? What other disciplines should be used in the formulation of policy and as the basis of political science?
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Yes, its essensialJust think of the history of europe after the western portion of the Roman Empire fell to the germans. Not long after, europes population, in the middle ages, people turned into an uneducated pile of desease riddin jelly. All becuase the germans to the north did not have access to the knowledge and governmental structures to the south, this was allowed to happen. In a panic society fell back hundereds of years, and if it was not for the the people who lived beyond the Steppes to the East, we would still be drowning in ignorence and sleeping with the family pig. So yes we must learn from the past or we are doomed to repete it, and I happen to like living in democracy and having a life expectancy of over 30!Voted for by Hardhittn63.
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petethemeat
December 7, 2007
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Lute
December 7, 2007
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History
See Arnold Toynbee, A Study of History,Edward Gibbon; "The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire".
Constant pressure of populations from the east caused dislocations in Europe.
See Visigoths, Vandals, Franks, and Mongols.
The Roman Empire fell as much from internal pressures as from external ones. The decay of the middle class, population, and political rivalry all contributed to its demise.
The period of dislocation in Northern Europe lasted from from about 479-800 ad, when Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
It was not until the city states of Venice and Genoa began regular trade with Egypt and the East that learning began to expand generally, though not even during the darkest time of trouble in the years between 500 and 800 did learning entirely die out. Monasteries in France and Ireland managed to copy many ancient manuscripts and preserve them.
There is much that can be learned from History as it relates to modern society. The economic collapse of the Roman Empire has parallels in our own society. The rapid expansion of the Athenian empire and its equally rapid collapse can also foreshadow our own actions. The rise of Nazi Germany is mirrored in our present situation vis-a-vis the loss of civil liberties in the name of security.
A study of ancient religions will reveal monotheism as practiced in the Judeo-Christian tradition as a very recent development. See for example Psalm 123 in "the Egyptian Book of The Dead", for an origin of the ten commandments, or the "Epic of Gilgamesh" for the original tale of Noah's flood. Both these ancient texts pre-date the bible narrative by thousands of years.
much to be learned if you are willing to put in the effort required.
petethemeat
December 9, 2007
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History can relate to modern society agreed, yet how many historical lessons should we take at face value. Should the different contexts and conditions be taken into account? How should we do this? Do the outcomes of certain actions stay the same regardless of age/technology/demographics etc?
Just food for thought really...
April 19
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