Charles Downer Hazen’s book The Long Nineteenth Century was first published in
1917 then revised in 1919 to expand Hazen’s observations on the First World
War. The book is an historical overview of the nineteenth century from the
French Revolution to the First World War, so there is historical overlap at
either end in order to maintain perspective.
I would not usually read a history book as old as this in
case important later findings are missed or better scholarship changes
perspectives. However, the interesting aspect of Hazen’s book is that he was
much closer to the nineteenth century than we are. Seen through his eyes, key
events seem more vivid. It is this vivid perspective which brings alive the
importance of democracy because Hazen clearly sees democracy as one of the most
important developments of the nineteenth century.
Through Hazen’s eyes the industrial revolution, the slums
and the industrial squalor are still there but the struggle for democracy also
comes to the fore - and what a struggle it was. Fortunately it was a successful struggle in many countries. For example, even a century ago
it was apparent that Swiss democracy was well worth studying and emulating.
Since 1848 Switzerland
has pursued a course of peaceful development, but one of extraordinary interest
to the outside world. This interest consists not in great events, nor in
foreign policy, for Switzerland has constantly preserved a state of strict
neutrality, but in the steady and thoroughgoing evolution of certain political
forms which may be of great value to all self-governing countries. There have
been developed in Switzerland certain processes of lawmaking the most
democratic in character known to the world.
Charles Downer Hazen - The Long Nineteenth Century (1919)
Amid all the insanely bloody and wholly cynical games played
by European kings, queens, princes and aristocrats during the nineteenth
century, the slow rise of democracy grows and grows like a flower on a dung
heap.
This is a perspective we have almost lost today – games
played over the Brexit referendum demonstrate that. Whatever else it may be,
the EU is not a democracy and does not intend to be one. Yet as Hazen’s book so
ably demonstrates, democracy is an insane gift to throw away on a raft of
political dishonesty.
Without strong democracies the totalitarian loons will ride
again. Unfortunately we are in some danger of losing the passion we need to
defend our democracy against them because we have never lived without it. If ruling elites have
their way, then one day we will have to live without it.
4 comments:
What I find absolutely remarkable is the fact that people who consider themselves to have a sophisticated political understanding just ignore this loss of democracy. Almost as if politics is merely a means of winning arguments and getting what they want out of life. Yesterday I looked at The Guardian comments. (I do this very infrequently!) The main angle seemed to be that EU institutions were in fact ultra democratic, and serve as a corrective to our own Anglo-Saxon Tory oppressors.
Compare this with the example of Claire Fox, who has made a career of left-wing politics, but who now finds herself on the Brexit side (in fact, an MEP candidate) because she values the democratic process.
Yes, quite right.
Who commands the armed forces? Who controls the money flows, tax etc.. Who controls the religion? Switzerland was a very different place to others. When all three of these come under a ruling class or monarchy or quasi monarchy, then there is nothing but trouble and disaster.
Sam - I'm sure you are right, for many people politics is merely a means of winning arguments in favour of a political allegiance which tends to be self-serving rather than principled.
Sackers - yet it isn't what we usually associate with the period.
Demetrius - yes Switzerland had certain advantages, but the lessons are still there.
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