The famous author of the History of the Decline and fall of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbons was not only a gifted historian; he had also philosophical introspection of the human nature that makes history. By paying proper respect to the past empire builders one thing we can safely say that their vision of future was not strong enough to foresee the foreseeable future. In keeping with his high level of moralistic and pragmatic thinking it's said that like other enlightened thinkers, Gibbon held in contempt the middle Ages as a priest-ridden, superstitious, dark ages. It was not until his own age of reason and rational thought, it was believed, that human history could resume its progress. Looking at the 192 strong nations in the world and the never ending feuds among them, it's impossible to hope that there will be a unified and peaceful world. The consequence of such a situation is nothing but constant instability and conflict.
Edward Gibbons was a highly moralistic person and saw morality as an important factor in deciding the future of any nation. I strongly believe that for any future historian, Gibbons vision of human nature in determining their destiny will be a great example to write their own notes.
History in its own essence is a narrative. History is written to transmit past to the present generation with a hope that some lessons will be learned by the posterity. But unfortunately human nature is a peculiar phenomenon which is a brew of intellect, stupidity and at times fatalistic. As Gibbons explains when the Roman Empire was ravaged by the Barbarians from all sides Roman politicians showed utter disregard to the threat. Their finest empire building tactics turned to intrigues and conspiracies making their fall a definite one in the hands of the Barbarians.
History recorded their blunders for the future generations but hardly anyone learned anything. The French Revolution of 1789 ushered a great era for the entire humanity but Napoleon Bonaparte learned a wrong lesson. Hitler was a mortal threat but Britain did not realise this before Czechoslovakia was annexed by Hitler.
Human psychology is always slow to react to any impending danger. Till such time it strikes they remain unaware of the coming catastrophe. In the contemporary times there are many helpful ways to foresee a danger but despite all these the recession of 2008 could not be averted by the United States although the danger signs were there. The present crisis in the Middle East and Africa is another proof of human miscalculations. Hosni Mubarak, Ghadafi, AliAbdallah Saleh or Bashar Al Assad are the victims of this human frailty.
Some windows of their intellect will remain closed till such time they are blown away by their own follies. This nature of the nations led by some human beings is the key to the rise and fall of the nations be it the mighty United States or Ivory Coast.
Akbar Hussain
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