Completely Good or Completely Bad

In troubled times, people tend to suddenly re-discover history and turn their minds back to it. A close historical parallel to the near-civil war now threatening to engulf France is formed by events in Spain during the years 1492-1612. Those events repay close study. ..... As Machiavelli says, defeat is the result of men not having the courage to be either completely good or completely bad. Reports coming out of France suggest that its government has not yet made up its mind on this point, and indeed it may still be too early to decide which course is the most appropriate. Clearly, however, if France and perhaps other European countries as well are to escape civil war one of the two will have to be chosen. And the longer the decision is postponed, the more difficult things will become.

Just 2 remarks from our editorial staff: It is true that people rediscover history in troubled times. Remember the obsession the Nazis took with it. But their example also shows that exact and openminded study is needed. Nothing worse than superficial and unbalanced study and knowledge of history.

The most visible symptom of renewed interest in history in public these days are the many history volumes in large book stores. Despite many comments to the contrary a large number of people in the political-economical elites, the christian as well as the muslim, jewish, confucian, hindu and buddhist worlds seem to drip with historic awareness. One should never forget that fact. I doubt if that's for good. I rather see half-conscious resistance against globalization.

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