History, put simply, can be defined as the past. Yet what is the nature of that past? The answer to this question was perhaps most famously attempted by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels who stated in their Communist Manifesto that "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggle." On this point, however, I cannot entirely agree. While it is undoubtedly true that conflict pervades much of history, I do not believe that class struggle is invariably the underlying cause. Additionally, surrounding every period of conflict is a period of greater rest.
Instead, I would perhaps suggest that the history of Western civilization is that of a perpetual, and largely unfulfilled, search for "progress." Such a definition necessarily leads to the question, What is progress? In this, I believe ambiguity is necessary. History is varied to the point that a narrow definition is largely impossible. However, I think it can be agreed upon that progress is uniformly viewed in a positive light. Progress may be for a group, a class, a nation or for the individual or those immediately surrounding him or her. Within this definition there is room for Marx and Engels' conception of class struggle. As each class seeks to better itself and thereby to progress, struggle naturally ensues.
There is no doubt that a quest for progress has led to beneficial programs and discoveries. Yet one must question to where we are progressing. What are our goals? What is it that we as individuals, as a society, as a nation are striving to achieve? Will it ever be enough? The trouble with progress is that it incessantly points out that which is inadequate at the current time, leaving one not fully satisfied with the present. As we ever seek more, we must not lose track of our morality. To do so would be to fall prey to what Emile Durkheim describes as the "malady of infiniteness." And it is, perhaps, when we lose sight of our morality that we are most likely to begin the struggles of which Marx speaks.
An interesting book has been written on this idea of progress by Massimo L. Salvadori. It is entitled Progress: Can We Do Without It? This work traces key historical events, trends and ideologies such as Nazism, globalization and democracy. One of his final chapters asks the important question, "Can we give up the idea of progress?" I think this question is an important one to consider in a world where we are faced with increasing technological innovation and possibility.
And so while progress may define the nature of our past, it continues to define the nature of our present. It is likely that it will continue to do so in our future, yet this is not yet a reality. In time we will be forced to consider how much is enough, and what we are willing to sacrifice for our ideals of progress.
Sincerely, Abigail Quinnley