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Colleen Alexander
HIS-100
Southern New Hampshire University
There is a book by T.M. Scanlon called What We Owe to Each Other in which the author discusses contractualism, or how an action is judged to be “right” or “wrong” based on how a reasonable person would consider it in terms of fairness and responsibility. The meaning and weight of these words comes from how they have been understood, used, and molded by history.
However, just because something in the past is judged to be wrong today does not mean the same was true when it happened. By looking at history through multiple lenses, we can determine how events impacted the world, society, and individual lives at that time. It is possible that events judged to be right or wrong in the past have a different judgement when looked at from a modern perspective.
History’s value lies in how we apply what we have learned about the past to our present and future. Taking notes on positive and negative outcomes from prior events can help choose paths or predict outcomes for current events. By knowing what has and has not worked in the past, we can make better decisions for our future.
Mao Zedong and China's economic fluctuations
A historical lens is a way of looking at a particular event in history. By looking at an event from different perspectives, one can give the topic more context and understanding. I have chosen to look at this topic through political, economic, and social lenses.
Looking through a political lens means examining the relationship between those who have power and those who do not. Mao seemed concerned for the people of China and their future, which is why he wanted to guide his people toward socialism and self-sufficiency. However, his choices resulted in more pain and suffering for the Chinese people.
When using an economic lens, we examine the relationship between government and businesses and between businesses and consumers. Mao mentions in a letter he wrote that merchants were taking advantage of consumers by buying low in one area and selling high in another. He decided that the government must step in to manage these transactions and avoid this perceived exploitation.
Looking at an event though a social lens means understanding the people involved and their interactions with other people. In this case, an entire class of people (landlord class) was wiped out when Mao chose to make agriculture a cooperative enterprise. Also, his extreme separation of duties meant that most people would only every interact with other people immediately nearby, doing the same or similar work.
The effects Mao Zedong had on China and its people were nothing short of horrific. However, when viewed from a political/economic lens, a different story is told. This story is one of freedom, re-birth, and hope. China had been at odds with other nations for so many years and had no guarantees of what resources could be imported. Mao had this great vision of improving economic efficiency and making China dependent on no one. His plan must have seemed like a breath of fresh air to a people tired of fighting and going without. Had his plan worked, China would have become an even greater world power than they are today.
There are many lessons to be learned from this event. For one, absolute power can be dangerous and even deadly. Secondly, planning is important on any scale.
A system of checks and balances can prevent poor outcomes by not allowing a single person too much power. For example, North Korea has been ruled by the Kim-Jong family since 1994 and from all accounts, the people of North Korea are impoverished and oppressed. Outsiders are rarely allowed into the country, and even then, usually must stay in or near Pyongyang, where the regime can control what the world sees of their country. Anyone who speaks out against the administration (or says anything the government doesn’t condone) risks banishment, prison camps, and death.
Proper planning and forecasting is necessary. From individual financial needs to nation-wide economic issues, it is unwise to simply implement a plan without first determining possible negative outcomes and how best to avoid those. Similar to the housing bubble burst and subsequent recession in 2008, Mao only focused on how great his plans for China would be and neglected to entertain possible failures. Banks and other mortgage lenders were approving large housing loans based on low introductory interest fees, not considering ability to pay when the interest jumped to regular rates. The individuals and families taking these loans also did not plan for or understand how they would afford the loan when their payments increased. At the same time, property values came crashing down after a period of increases. Many people could not only no longer afford their homes but could not even sell them for enough to pay off the loan, causing them to lose everything they had worked for, which had a ripple effect to the banks and lenders who had millions in loans that could not be repaid. Like Mao, bankers, lenders, builders, and borrowers were only focused on how great property values were and how easy it was to sell/obtain home loans and did not acknowledge any possible drawbacks.
History has taught us repeatedly that allowing one person to have absolute power is never good for society. The Enron scandal brought about the Sarbanes Oxley Act requiring division of duties and someone other than the CFO to sign off on financial statements to prevent abuse of power. In the same way, having multiple branches of government reduces the power and reach of any one person.
In the housing example, had someone in these industries studied what was happening, proper forecasting may have predicted negative outcomes, preventing or lessening the effects of the recession. Moving forward, lenders and individuals must be aware of possible risks and lend/borrow conservatively when appropriate to avoid financial crisis.
My initial response is that yes, history repeats itself. I went to a lecture several years ago that speculated how advanced Romans might be today if not for the death and destruction that were the result of the Crusades. Researchers have discovered that Ancient Romans had developed simple computers and were completing advanced surgical procedures. Equipment was found that almost mimics tools in use today, such as a hollow needle with another needle inside, almost identical to what is used today for removing cataracts from the eye. The fact that similar technology and procedures were developed independently of Ancient Rome provides evidence that history does repeat itself.
After taking this course, I think that saying, “history repeats itself,” gives “history” too much power. “History” is not a sentient being, nor does it have any power to make decisions or influence lives. The power lies within each of us to not repeat the mistakes of our past. Whether they do not fully understand the consequences, or they are so arrogant to believe that they are better or smarter than others who have walked the same path, it is the individuals who fail to study history properly who cause history to repeat itself.
Yes, everyone has an obligation to society to understand the history behind current issues. Racism, for example –wearing blackface does not necessarily indicate that someone is racist. It does, however, most likely mean that they have not studied the history of blackface and how hurtful and demeaning it is to wear it. Another example is internment camps. What the current US administration is doing to people at border detention facilities is just as horrid and terrifying as what was once done to Jewish people in Germany and Japanese people in America. However, most of the American public does not believe this to be true because they do not understand how quietly and seemingly benevolent the previous two incidents began. By educating ourselves on issues like these, we become better citizens, friends, and advocates for others.