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History as propaganda
There’s probably more history published today
than ever before. As with every genre sold as a
commodity most of it is of little value.
At its very best history is one of the most important of all disciplines. It seeks to present a narrative explaining not just who we are and how we got here but also why we use these very concepts to understand ourselves. A chronicle of events is of little interest without interpretation; and it is through this that an analysis has any chance of achieving significance.
The interpretation of motivation is seen as important in understanding events but
their significance can only be calculated by the effect on later generations. Often the
motivation for action is given to be this or that hoped-for effect on later generations.
This was part of the stated aim of many historical figures including Caesar, Napoleon
and Hitler. It is doubtful whether they were successful in achieving such aims but what
cannot be doubted is the need of the support of thousands, sometimes millions, of others
to even make the attempt. It is in this support that the real social power resides.
Hitler’s rise was no less dependent on the Treaty of Versailles and the Wall Street Crash
than on any characteristics he may or may not have possessed. The ideological values,
which evolved within the German state and made millions believe they needed ‘a strong
leader’, should be the focus of any historical analysis of the Third Reich. The origin of
social power and its relationship with, and expression by, individuals, groups and the
masses is the real business of historians.
The conventional definition of history (as distinct from prehistory) is the study of the
written record from and about the past. It is no coincidence that this record begins during
the so-called ‘Neolithic revolution’ when humans were making the transition from a
hunter-gatherer society to that of the private property city-state. Such settlements were
made possible by the discovery of sustainable crop growing and animal husbandry. This not only brought an end to the nomadic lifestyle but also dramatically changed the social
relationships that went with it.
The production of surplus food changed the basis of power within society forever.
It meant, amongst many other changes, that some parts of society were freed from
subsistence living to pursue other activities. Foremost amongst these was the development of a warrior elite to protect this surplus from raiding nomads. It was not long before they restricted access to other members of their own settlement.
... continued next page 15
There’s probably more history published today
than ever before. As with every genre sold as a
commodity most of it is of little value.
At its very best history is one of the most important of all disciplines. It seeks to present a narrative explaining not just who we are and how we got here but also why we use these very concepts to understand ourselves. A chronicle of events is of little interest without interpretation; and it is through this that an analysis has any chance of achieving significance.
The interpretation of motivation is seen as important in understanding events but
their significance can only be calculated by the effect on later generations. Often the
motivation for action is given to be this or that hoped-for effect on later generations.
This was part of the stated aim of many historical figures including Caesar, Napoleon
and Hitler. It is doubtful whether they were successful in achieving such aims but what
cannot be doubted is the need of the support of thousands, sometimes millions, of others
to even make the attempt. It is in this support that the real social power resides.
Hitler’s rise was no less dependent on the Treaty of Versailles and the Wall Street Crash
than on any characteristics he may or may not have possessed. The ideological values,
which evolved within the German state and made millions believe they needed ‘a strong
leader’, should be the focus of any historical analysis of the Third Reich. The origin of
social power and its relationship with, and expression by, individuals, groups and the
masses is the real business of historians.
The conventional definition of history (as distinct from prehistory) is the study of the
written record from and about the past. It is no coincidence that this record begins during
the so-called ‘Neolithic revolution’ when humans were making the transition from a
hunter-gatherer society to that of the private property city-state. Such settlements were
made possible by the discovery of sustainable crop growing and animal husbandry. This not only brought an end to the nomadic lifestyle but also dramatically changed the social
relationships that went with it.
The production of surplus food changed the basis of power within society forever.
It meant, amongst many other changes, that some parts of society were freed from
subsistence living to pursue other activities. Foremost amongst these was the development of a warrior elite to protect this surplus from raiding nomads. It was not long before they restricted access to other members of their own settlement.
... continued next page 15
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Socialist Party