RACHEL A.G. REYES
HISTORY is always a good place to start when trying to determine one’s future actions. “Learning from the past” is an irritating truism that is supposed to save one from making further mistakes, or turn oneself into a more virtuous person. But the valuable lessons history can impart might also serve less meritorious ends. Flagging tinpot dictators, for instance, could learn a thing or two from their more successful predecessors.