History's Wisdom

Dr. Robert V. Gerard
Jul 3
3 min read

I'd like to take a different slant on History by paralleling modern-day events with historical aspects. As I remain intrigued by how civilizations flourish and then crumble, I also see how societies fail to learn from their historical facts. It appears that when a civilization or society loses its ability to maintain internal peace, it collapses.

The following quote by Robert Maynard Hutchins (1899-1977) reinforces my conviction that the people—not rulers—are crucial in sustaining a nation's quest for survival and peace.

"The goal toward which all History tends is peace, not peace through the medium of war, not peace through a process of universal intimidation, not peace through a program of mutual impoverishment, not peace by any means that leaves the world too weak or too frightened to go on fighting, but peace pure and simple based on that will to peace which has animated the overwhelming majority of humankind through countless ages. This will to peace does not arise out of a cowardly desire to preserve one's life and property, but out of conviction that the fullest development of the highest powers of men [and women] can be achieved only in a world of peace."

Firstly, when we learn from History, we give history purpose. And from the experiences of that learning, we gather wisdom. Finding our roots is a never-ending quest to understand our origins and shape our future. However, failing to apply wisdom can prove devastating. I want to present two political episodes and compare them to demonstrate human ignorance, despite History's attempt to show its facts.

In the first case, I'd like to take you to Iran, previously known as Persia—a great and mighty nation with a profound History. Iran was a monarchy operating under democratic principles until 1979, when Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Shah in a popular uprising. Soon after, Iran was established as an Islamic republic. The Ayatollah promised the 70 million Iranians freedom and prosperity. His revolution rapidly shifted the nation into accepting him as the Supreme Ruler. Year after year, the Ayatollah's power grew, and his loyalists served him with pride but at the expense of the common Iranian. Corruption and bureaucratic incompetence forced the population into poverty without a peaceful future.

In 2016, Donald Trump generated enough loyalty and promises to become the President of America. Within four years, the electorate had had enough and voted him out. Nonetheless, Trump was obsessed with regaining rule and built an unshakeable following of loyalists based on his quest to rule and reshape the American Dream. And the day came when he, as did the Ayatollah, changed America and the World.

My argument remains rigid that the people—not rulers—are the crucial players in sustaining a nation's quest for survival and peaceful co-existence. I conclude that Nations are not composed of evil doings, but an individual easily could. When I scan historical facts about ancient civilizations, the facts point to the rulers as the culprits.

Thomas Jefferson (1776) said, "I know of no safe repository of the ultimate power of society but the people. And if we think them not enlightened enough, the remedy is not to take the power from them, but to inform them by education." Sir Edmund Burke, circa 1790, said, "The only thing Necessary for the triumph of Evil is that good men do nothing," a phrase repeatedly referenced.

The point I argue shows how societies fail to learn from historical facts. Although weapons and armaments have greatly improved, learning from History's wisdom indeed lacks.

"There is perhaps only one hope for the future. That is, the people will learn the facts in time…" ~Olof Palme.