100
Years:
The Focus of World
History
One
decade ago the 20th Century has
ended. Seven reasons to declare this epoch the most important one in
history.
Written
by Dr.
Stefan Högl
When the year 2000 approached one could virtually feel
history go by: The turn of the century - indeed a millennium fever.
Decades
before, that date was surrounded by a magic sphere of expectations, a
distant
but ominous location one was definitely approaching. Special reports
filled the
newspapers, to look back on history became familiar. Meanwhile however
the turn
of the millennium has been forgotten, and the world has put its focus
on other
issues. It is a sad story for the 20th Century, which nobody wishes to
remember. Its events and developments however show: These were the most
important one hundred years ever in human history.
1. The Discovery of the World
To know and to
understand the world in its extensions - this
dream has finally been realized by man in the 20th Century. For the
first time
it was possible to explore the space of the universe and to look deep
into
atomic structures as never expected before. At the beginning of the
century
there were still undiscovered areas on the globe: Deserts, mountains
and polar
regions were waiting for exploration. This gap was closed with the help
of the
first airplanes. Expeditions haven't stopped at the earth's boundaries
however.
Soon, the neighbouring planets of our solar system became the focus of
science.
Pluto was discovered in 1930, its moon Charon only in 1978. At the end
of the
century the first spacecraft Pioneer 10 left the home of our
solar
system. - Meanwhile the universe has lifted its major secrets.
Telescopes have
discovered its extension, elaborated its age, explored its history.
With
similar efforts scientists have taken a look into the inner structure
of matter
- on the level of atoms and quarks. Here already, science seems to have
reached
its limits, although new questions still arise.
The most spectacular event undoubtedly was man's first
landing on the moon. No other event might have reached the same
symbolic power
which stands for a whole century: The century which discovered the
world.
2. The Scientific Break-through
The scientific
progress hasn't been limited to modern
physics. Neighbouring disciplines have also got profit from rising
technical
possibilities. So the blue planet and the life on it have been explored
and
long time secret processes were explained. Biologists were able to
detect the
genetic blue print and to describe a great part of life's evolution. In
medicine the discoveries have led to then unexpected possibilities, be
it the
discovery of x-rays, the penicillin or modern intensive care.
Meanwhile, most
illnesses are either curable or may at least be alleviated - in mental
areas,
too: The past century has become the birthplace of psychology as a
scientific
discipline.
With the success in various parts of life science has began
its victorious march. To this day its claim is to explore and explain
all
aspects of our world. Besides remaining philosophical and theological
questions, this approach has been realized: In the 20th Century, the
world
finally became explainable and calculable.
3. The Century of the Individual
A principle,
which has influenced religious and political
ideas since mankind existed, has finally been realized: The respect for
human
beings as individuals with inviolable dignity and indefeasible rights.
Although
the 20th Century had to wait a long time for this idea to prevail, the
political development clearly shows: Fundamental human rights are now
fought
for around the globe and they are increasingly respected, too. Their
spread
cannot be upheld any more. Still, there may be some differences about
how to
formulate these rights in detail, but there is one result of the 20th
Century:
Man sees itself as an individual with a sovereign responsibility for
his
actions. He has found his self-consciousness.
4. Victory for the Democratic State
The recognition
of human rights on the individual's side
must, in the long term, lead to a free and democratic state on a
political
dimension. A sovereign person must at least have a voice in social
issues and
have the chance to speak, assemble and move freely.
The collapse of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe has
impressively shown that the demand for free elections could immediately
be
derived from the entitlement to human rights. Any dictatorship is built
upon
the denial of individual rights - whenever they reach the consciousness
of man,
it means the foundation for a democratic order. Only in the 20th
Century
reality has shown what has been a matter of academic circles before: In
the
end, the democratic state will prevail, because he complies best with
human
nature and human dignity.
5. The Economic Decision
With the end of
the East/West conflict not only the question
of the political system has been decided. The search for an economic
order of
the future has also come to an end. In the long term, only what is
adjusted to
human nature can prevail. So, the basic political and economic
decisions have
to be built on a solid fundament: on basic human rights. Besides
political and
social participation a person shall be able to enjoy the fruits of his
work and
sign treaties with others. Limitations as they are typical for a
planned
economy can hardly be combined with such principles. It wasn't for
economic
reasons alone, that the communist states have failed in the end, but
also
because of their ignorance for the individual.
It was the 20th Century which had to provide the stage for
the historic struggle for a society which is adequate for humans.
6. The Rise of a Future Vision
Man's history is
filled with political and social demands,
with ideological and religious concepts, all with a universal claim for
their
realization. Countless wars have been waged for power and influence,
for raw
materials and territorial claims, for god and honour. The 20th Century
has seen
the first World Wars, the highest death tolls and the most horrific
weapons.
But this same epoch meant a turning point, too: The vision of
peaceful world, which - for the first time in human history - will ban
war from
its arsenals. A world order was designed which is based on the
recognition of universal
human rights as well as on national and religious respect. This
development
meant a novelty in world history. Even when its realization might still
take a
long way, the first step has been taken in the past century.
7. The End of History
At the end of
the 20th Century a historic epoch finds itself
closed. A time, in which man has found answers to the most basic
questions. The
world and its processes are decoded as far as possible, man has found
his
individuality and therefore the social system where to live it through.
Only
with this in mind, the vision of a world order adequate for human
nature and
committed to his dignity could grow.
History has reached an end regarding the major scientific and
social questions. Francis Fukuyama has already made that point after
the fall
of communism. Certainly, there will be further important discoveries,
will
decisive political steps been taken in the future. However, the big
questions
and conflicts are resolved. Most people have taken notice about that
development
without wasting many thoughts on it. Somewhere in the future the end of
major
historic events was to be expected anyway - just like the fall of the
Berlin
wall simply had to come one final day.
*
*
*
The
Legacy of the 20th Century
One decade after
history passed by a blend of melancholic and
bitter memories is in the air: A century
like this will never come again. At the same time one may look back on
the past
decades with relief. With the resolve of the big conflicts one can turn
to his
own personal history and get to those questions life has left open.
For the eyewitnesses of the
historic 20th Century the duty
remains to save and share their memories. When they reach far back, they will be most valuable for future
generations.
On the death of Hans-Georg Gadamer:
