Heroes of History

Perhaps the most inspiring way of studying the past is to learn about the lives of great individuals who have exhibited courage and justice. Men like Horatius, who stood between Rome and the barbarians, or Demosthenes, who sought to rouse the people of Athens have a universal appeal. Great Man Theory, promoted by the English essayist Thomas Carlyle, holds that the great changes of history are largely owing to the exploits of a few exceptional individuals. Although it would be incorrect to ignore other facets of society, it is certainly true that history has been shaped by courageous people. Mass movements and economic crises are important, but their results are directed by great leaders. The American Revolution would likely have ended in catastrophe if George Washington didn’t emerge to harness the energy of the nation. Similarly, Europe would probably be submerged under Nazi despotism if Winston Churchill hadn’t rallied Britain to the standard of freedom and justice.

In addition to being true, the Great Man Theory of history energizes young people and gives them meaning in a world that seems to be governed by chance and forces beyond their control. This theory calls us to recognize and admire the contributions of heroes who built our societies. Additionally, it compels us to take up the torch of these Great Men and mimic them in their own lives.

But this glorious view of history is under attack by those who wish to tarnish the image of the individuals who built our civilization. Leftists seek to make us immediately associate Thomas Jefferson and George Washington with slavery while others seek to cast Winston Churchill as a selfish imperialist. One might ask; by what right do these individuals attack their moral betteres? The late historian Will Durant, whose famous 11-volume Story of Civilization ran to over 10,000 pages, noted the tendency of the mediocre to chastise the magnificent. He wrote that “Since it is contrary to good manners to exalt ourselves, we achieve the same result by slyly indicating how inferior are the Great Men of the earth.” Seldom does one see the founder of a nation attacking Washington or the liberator of a continent criticizing Chruchill. More often, those who have achieved little are the most eager to damn the great.

The propensity to tear down the statues of great individuals is a modern phenomenon that is largely the product of late-stage democracy which venerates equality at the expense of liberty. This danger was foreseen in the 19th century by Alexis de Tocqueville in his work Democracy in America. He believed “that democratic communities have a natural taste for freedom…But for equality, their passion is ardent, insatiable, incessant, invincible: they call for equality in freedom; and if they cannot obtain that, they still call for equality in slavery. They will endure poverty, servitude, barbarism—but they will not endure aristocracy.” It appears that modern democrats have proven de Tocqueville’s hypothesis correct. Many cannot stand the natural distinctions which are brought about by truly great acts. They would rather go through life without a Churchill or a Washington than reap the benefits of their actions.

This way of thinking is damaging to both freedom and civilizational development because it removes the veneration of those who have brought about political and moral liberty. When we desecrate the memories of those who have fought for justice, their ideals fall by the wayside as well. One cannot have a Declaration of Independence without a Jefferson or a Constitution without a Madison. The builder is essential to the product.

In order to restore meaning to our society we must refuse to let historical nihilists tarnish the reputations of Great Men. When a person justifies their existence with an incredible life their sins become incidental and their virtues should be brought to the forefront.

Going forward, the policy of rational individuals should be one that acknowledges the importance of democratic politics and the inevitability of aristocratic social relations. Sometimes a man will rise so far above his peers that he constantly reminds us of our failings. A proper response to this is not to loudly point out his sins. Instead, we should channel what Alexis de Tocqueville described as a manly feeling of equality; the feeling that causes us to emulate our heroes and seek to attain their glory for ourselves.