I think if you're going to master policy, especially world affairs, you've got to know history.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Most foreign policies that history has marked highly, in whatever country, have been originated by leaders who were opposed by experts.
I think you can learn from history.
When I was in college, I became interested in various aspects of foreign policy and international relations. Even as a kid, I was interested in what I call, loosely speaking, forbidden knowledge.
History is the best guide to the future.
Fifty years ago, historians advised politicians and policy-makers. They helped chart the future of nations by helping leaders learn from past mistakes in history. But then something changed, and we began making decisions based on economic principles rather than historical ones. The results were catastrophic.
I'm very comfortable with where history will judge me.
History is one of those marvelous and necessary illusions we have to deal with. It's one of the ways of dealing with our world with impossible generalities which we couldn't live without.
The next president needs to know foreign policy and not learn it on the job.
When we look at policy, it's important we make sure that it's up to date and reflective of the way the world works today - and where the world is heading in the future.
When you're part of history, you don't know it. You're just sort of living your life.