History by Analogy
By: Max • Essay • 253 Words • May 20, 2010 • 1,245 Views
History by Analogy
Like Houghton, Jespersen writes of the reasoning behind the
supposed necessity of using history by analogy. However,
Jespersen, more so than Houghton alludes to the mistakes and
misconceptions that are obtained through using historical analogy.
Additionally Jespersen notes how often the wrong analogy is
initially made in the wake of an attack or historical event.
Jespersen claims that immediately following 9/11 many jumped to
the conclusion that this was the equivalent of a modern day Pearl
Harbor. Conspiracy Theorists then illuminated the similarities
between Roosevelt who was seen as a power tyrant, and Bush who
some view as an illegitimate president, not really winning the
election. However time would reveal that this was a far situation
from Pearl Harbor, especially once taken to Iraq. Instead the
current analogy became that of the Vietnam War. Furthermore
Saddam Hussein became compared to Adolph Hitler and North Korea,
Iran, and Iraq