DANIELLE DAVID
History 151
R. Schwartz
“ The men who make history have not time to write it.”
-Metternich
The articles by Stern and Pfaff discuss the recovery and revitalization of Europe, a recovery that is slow and imminent, and the articles discuss the fact that European states, after their long and complicated history of war and hardships, have become more peaceful. Since they have such a long history of disputes and war, they are attempting to end that past. However, the articles deal significantly with the fact that history continually repeats itself, (esp. European history) and it is inevitable that history will cease to repeat itself thus Stern highlights the fact that European governments must pay very close attention to the lessons history has taught us and should pay less attention to politics of today. The terrorist organizations are on the rise and are still gaining power and strength, and although it seems unlikely that wars will occur again in this “new Europe” Stern states that the rapid union of Europe still leads terrorists to gain power. Basically, Stern argues that people must learn their history and understand and value it, so they can value their present. Perhaps this might even teach us to predict our future and thus prevent destructive events for once again transpiring.
Pfaff discusses American hegemony0 and the fact that democracy is significantly connected with free markets. The United States possesses hegemonic power but I do not believe that is a positive factor and Pfaff argues that other world powers will not support American hegemony in order to set up something that will help Europe stay clear of future wars and disasters, we need to step away and assess Europe’s long and complex past to be able to effectively ‘cure’ Europe and prevent them from future crises and outbreaks.