The quote goes, “History is written by the victor.”
A stirring insight into the reality that, historically, those who wield power are best able to propagate their accounts and perspectives on the world. After all, in the historical case of warring proto-states, it’s tough to imagine the losers scribing a grand narrative from the grave or in chains.
However, in the modern age, I’d wager that the truism needs to be updated, at least for the case of stable or developed societies. Now, people talk of culture wars and rhetorical battles, and the norm is that combatants are rarely deprived of their capability of expression following defeat.
The writing of history has become a weapon, rather than a prize. Certainly, those in power have a greater capability for broadcasting their accounts, but ultimate acceptance of those histories remains an uncertain quantity. Surely, the success of any given historical narrative must be connected with its expressive power and semblance of rigor. Thus, I propose the following amendment:
Those who write history, and write it well, are the victors.
