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“Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It.”
George Santayana
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A great quantity of information in the form of text, photographs, statues, films, drawings, and paintings portray and honour the lives of those who were victims of the Nazi’s murderous plan.
The concentration camps do concentrate one’s focus on a particular era of terror. The evidence from the past 80 years suggests Santayana was right and wrong. In a sense, his statement was too general to be contradicted. For example, the specific conditions that generated and maintained the Nazi system of mass murder are unlikely to be replicated; however, some timeless characteristics of human nature persist.
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I’m a psychologist and not a historian yet, I come away from recent visits to several Nazi terror sites with some impressions.
1. Religion supports dictators. Horrible leaders often have an amiable relationship with the larger religious groups who fail to dissuade their congregants from the support of evil. In Christianity, adherents are encouraged to obey authority as if the authorities are placed in their positions by God. Today we still learn of devout religious people who support aggression towards people identified by politicians as enemies. I know from my own religion do good works, but we have too many failing to demonstrate love and compassion in some 2000 years of faith and in the present.
2. Humans psychologically prepare themselves for the destruction of others by stripping them of all forms of dignity before the final acts of elimination. Mockery, associations with animals, ugly imagery, associations with immorality, and other lies convince many that certain groups are subhuman and aren’t worth caring for—in fact the world would be better off without them. These characteristics of Nazi propaganda continue today. Immigrants, people with mental disabilities, and people who look different from the majority are targets of politicians and other antisocial people. Harsh rhetoric leads to physical violence.
3. People can be bought. The offer of better jobs, social benefits, and prestige are common ways people “buy-in” to the agendas of tyrants. People are too easily persuaded to vote for a promise. Americans should know that presidents can rarely deliver on promises that require legislative approval.
4. Fear is a powerful force for good and evil. The leaders who are capable of creating fear and positioning themselves as saviours know that nothing motivates people to follow an ideology and it’s self-appointed leader than fear. The prospect of death, torture, or eternal damnation keeps large numbers of people in submission. Add fear-mongering to cheap promises and the potential for power over large percentages of a population occurs again and again.
5. Indoctrination works. Religious and national narratives taught to children and woven into culture in so many ways creates a normal way of living for those within a culture. Those who control the dissemination of information are in a strong position to influence the opinions of their constituency. What is normative becomes what is moral. Normalizing violence is too easily accomplished.
6. Role models change behaviour. People learn how to treat themselves and others in part by observing what prestigious people do. Handsome soldiers in uniform can teach brutality by demonstration. Attractive leaders can encourage young men and women to join a malicious cause as they sign up and join the ranks. Wicked leaders seem tuned in to the power of observational learning.
7. Feedback shapes behaviour. In an engineered society, the power of frequent feedback can guide people into the correct way to express patriotism, religious sincerity, and attitudes toward outgroups. Here, correct means the way promulgated by those in power.
8. Outgroup management is a skill honed by effective politicians and clergy. The Nazis were obvious masters of this rhetoric. But I’ve heard such talk from clergy and politicians in the USA. One evangelical pastor seemed keen on shooting gays. Legal and illegal immigrants are lumped together as a threat without considering the individuals and their contributions to society. Of course, people of colour can fill books with tales of discrimination despite years of laws designed to protect their rights.
9. Confirmation bias can impair whatever lessons from history are possible. People look through past events in their own lives and the writings of others based on their worldview. One powerful factor is our human tendency to look for evidence confirming our ideas and reject contradictory evidence. Unless this can be overcome by working with others, the lessons of history will vary from person to person. I wonder if Santayana considered this feature of human thought.
We the people need to be vigilant when it comes to electing our leaders. In politics and organisations strong opposition and a free press are vital to societal health. Strong presidents control legislatures. Strong clergy control their boards. Might can make wrongs right.
Santayana’s pithy statement won’t help much unless we realise that a combination of nasty traits in human nature can be combined to ruin an otherwise healthy society.
Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is www.suttong.com
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Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.
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