@georgeob1,
Quote:I believe that if you read and reflect on the recurrent trends and events on recorded history and then consider what has been going on in our world over the last century, or even the last decade, you will conclude that very little, beyond the curent physical circumstances of life, has changed at all.
Although I agree with your broad strokes, I don't see this in detail and as a practical matter for the average person. And I'll stick to the West and politics here though I'm sure much of the other parts of the world were similar.
You state that our advances don't change the way we relate to each other? I don't get that. A simple example would be that the majority of people thought slavery was ok in this country (and prior to that, essentially, the whole world thought so), now not so much. That changes the way we relate to one another. A law allowing slavery and people being born into that political reality will see those slaves differently (statistically speaking).
So, what I see is that prior to the renaissance (when, as it goes, things started to change in earnest), most countries/cultures accepted slavery as a normal, moral part of life (though I think this moral aspect deserves its own treatment - but beyond the scope here). Not so much anymore.
Also, the vast majority of the population of the West lived in misery, they had little political power, their lives were pretty much at the whim of the lord of their land or raiders and they were the victims of wars which they had absolutely no say in. Also, the prisons today are no picnic and have their own inhumanity to them, but the systems of yesteryear made todays look like summer camp by comparison. Once in, there was little power of the average inmate to be freed, little power of acquisition of a lawyer to help with their case..I could go on..
But I'm sure I'm not telling you something you don't know. The conclusion is that in the West there is more political power available to the average Joe or Josie (whether its used is another thing).
Yes, people in positions of power today can kill at whim (witness Obama's drone program), but comparatively speaking, the folks of yesteryear could do so much more without sanction, justification etc. Obama still has to justify his programs, there is pushback, the average citizens do have a voice. When we are loud enough, we do make change. One of the reasons I believe that a change has occurred, is the level of information and sophistication of the people. That I believe strikes a qualitative note of change in human beings. An evolution in culture, one that isn't guaranteed to happen or continue - but we can note that change nonetheless. A change that makes a difference, not in theory but in the way life is actually prosecuted.
True its got a long way to go but great strides have been made..I could go on, but I'm sure you're aware..
So, yes, broad picture, life still has wars, slavery, etc. But the proportion has gone down, the power of the average person to control his/her and participate and effect political life is greater than it was before. This
means something, something practical to the average western person who lives today*.
Other than as a historical curiosity and perhaps an intellection framework, I don't know what to do, practically, with the information you present. It doesn't help me to decide on how to vote, how to help, who to fight etc..
But I'm sure you know these facts. Am I still missing your point?
*who would trade their current life for the life of an average western person in the middle ages. I doubt you'd get too many people rolling the dice on that one..
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