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Gerard, Thank you! The speaker said that this is the first of eight episodes. I hope that you pass them along also.
Victor Davis Hanson is a National Treasure. His in depth understanding of history is exceptional!
His perspective is sorely lacking in academia.
I second Joe’s request.
…ahhhhhhh 🙂
Having read widely on the unique nature of ‘Western Civilization’, there is much focus on ideological issues: Judaic notions of time (non-cyclical) and God’s interest (ie progressive development) and Greek Rationalism.
VDH here ties, at least, part of the exceptional Greek approach to an unique agricultural economy.
VDH focuses, which is not surprising on agriculture – which he knows intimately, being from the Central Valley – and the three types of crops/economy which were the source of the unique development of Greece.
These crops led to a community which easily produces a diverse surplus, is sustainable by individual family units (no communal irrigation as per the Middle East), and has a long term investment in the property of grape vines and olive orchards (which require tens of years to mature).
Hence the Greek polis: a community of individual entrepreneurs, with a long term interest in property rights – ergo the motivating differentiator vs the monolithic states of the rest of the World!
VDH suggests we should ponder the implications for us if we lose some of these motivations.
Great stuff, thought provoking and educational. Thanks to VDH and also to Gerard for sharing.
I’ve read many of his books and enjoy as many vids as possible. VDH has a grasp of military matters and of culture or civilization that exceeds the average scholar. He sees the linkage and the unity in history.
If only they taught this in school. They would rather teach snowflake acceptance and daisy chasing.
Thanks for this. The kids are learning about Ancient Greece this year, though we are starting with Hesiod and mythology; this is a bit advanced for them, but very useful for me as their teacher.