IV
Secure at first food and clothing, and the kingdom of God will come to you of itself. – Hegel, 1807
The class struggle, which always remains in view for a historian schooled in Marx, is a struggle for the rough and material things, without which there is nothing fine and spiritual. Nevertheless these latter are present in the class struggle as something other than mere booty, which falls to the victor. They are present as confidence, as courage, as humor, as cunning, as steadfastness in this struggle, and they reach far back into the mists of time. They will, ever and anon, call every victory which has ever been won by the rulers into question. Just as flowers turn their heads towards the sun, so too does that which has been turn, by virtue of a secret kind of heliotropism, towards the sun which is dawning in the sky of history. To this most inconspicuous of all transformations the historical materialist must pay heed.
Walter Benjamin - 1940
The need for food and clothing as survival necessities are greatly highlighted in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It is believe that when an individual's basic needs are met; he/she is able to work towards achieving spiritual fulfillment.
Granted that the existence of class struggle have affected man both positively and negatively, it is usually the negative issue that are reflected on. Although most beneficial the positive influences are often viewed as necessary changes within society. Some of positive changes include: new ideas and practices, increased awareness of control over one's destiny, increased social enviornment, adoptation of new values, acknowledgement of injustice and inequality, new technology, individual rights and freedom.
On the other hand some of the negative aspects include: primary focus on the economy with no attention to culture or religion, destruction of old values, expansion of state power, increased demand for limited supplies, increased poverty rate and opression of the under priviledged. Class struggle has affected the lives of past generations and will continue to do so into the future. Each individual's experience will remain different from his neighbor as what is important to one person is not always important to others. All accomplishments like all victories in a war are critiqued and measured.
For the fear that modern day change will result in generational loss of history and values; I still believe a strong nation is one that focuses on the past, present, and future. Yes, the economic welfare of all country is vital to its day to day progress but, so are issues concerning religion, culture, and science. A nation with a unified foundation is one that focuses on all social issues. Like a flower to the sunlight individuals will continue to gravitate to winners and trend setters believing they are more influential.
History and Nihilism have both lead to changes in the world. Nihilism forces people to address the meaning and value of a believe or an idea. It represent emptiness, objects with no significant meaning, it challenges society to change old practices and ways of doing things while history represent the past, old values and the foundation for the future. In our modern day society history is used to overcome nihilism through reflection. During the Nazi era "nihilism represented emptiness, meaninlessness, and intenses longing. It was the breeding ground for Nazism and all forms of totalitarianism rule. It was used to justify brutality and cruelty to human beings".
Walter Benjamin - 1940
Frankfurt School: On the Concept of history by Walter Benjamin http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/benjamin/1940/history.htm
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