When an historical era comes to an end the pundits move on and the historians move in. When major issues have been decided, or have faded in importance, commentary on them thins out and looks backward rather than forward. The emphasis shifts from arguments about what should be done and speculation about what will happen to judgements about significance and insignificance, right and wrong, and success and failure.The passage of time, along with the publication of memoirs and the opening of official records, affords historical perspective. Up to a point, judgements tend to converge. To be sure, no verdict on …read more
Source: The American Interest
