午夜剧场

It has been a long time since the so-called "history boom" was first publicized. In this era where books do not sell well, history-related books frequently appear on bestseller lists. On the other hand, in the field of education, there is a persistent movement aiming to reduce the content of history subjects or exclude them from compulsory requirements. These two phenomena, which appear contradictory at first glance, are actually quite consistent. That is, history is meant to remain in the status of a "hobby." Why is it necessary to go out of one's way to learn about ancient or medieval times, which are eras inferior to the present? From the Whig interpretation of history to the "End of History" thesis, liberals have theoretically supported such a view of history and disseminated it to the general public.

Furthermore, "criticism" is avoided in this country. The cliché equation of "opposition party = criticism = anti-Japanese" has captured the hearts of many people. However, in 19th-century Britain, there was a thinker who argued that criticism was necessary precisely because one loves their country. This is T. H. Green, the starting point of this book. Blind obedience by "loyal subjects" destroys the state. In contrast, "intellectual patriots" who seek to develop the state possess a "duty of resistance." This kind of argument, with ancient Rome in mind, is symbolized by the figures of the republican senators surrounding Caesar in Camuccini's "The Death of Caesar," which serves as the cover of this book.

Harold Laski, who appears in the second half of this book, received much from intellectual predecessors such as Green and Hobhouse. What, then, separates them? It is Laski's view of history. A view of history that unconditionally glorifies the present leads to "thoughtless obedience." To remain a citizen, one must constantly relativize the modern era from a historical perspective. History is a series of choices made by finite human beings. Among those choices, some were correct and others were likely wrong. And errors must be corrected. The "duty of rebellion" is the guarantee of remaining a citizen (citizenship).

The ten years required to write this book were by no means short for the author. I pray that the results of the ten years I dedicated to history will reach as many readers as possible.

Yusuke Umezawa

午夜剧场 Press

344 pages, 3,200 yen (excluding tax)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.