When the conversation turns to events in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, many folks tune out and seek entertainment and information in more current events. One often hears anti-historians say things like, "I am concentrating on the future, not the past." Then historical enthusiasts respond with something like, "Our future is determined by our past."

Dr. Stephen Ruzicka of UNCG recently led a group of Triad citizens in a two-week study in Europe examining various events of the 17th and 18th centuries that produced the social and cultural features characteristic of today. Throughout the tour we reviewed the intriguing tension that existed between aristocratic families and the general citizens.

The aristocrats were eager to add land and possessions to their holdings. The business people wanted to assure calm and peace among the states in order to encourage more and more trade and commerce. The leading political figures were pulled to and fro by the "stuff"-seeking aristocrats and the peace-seeking business people who wanted as much political clout on their side as possible.

It was apparent that many of the clichés of today were very much a part of the mindset of the 17th and 18th centuries. Phrases such as "the grass is always greener over there," and "keeping up with the Joneses" were particularly prominent. If one had more stuff than another, then the other had to acquire by purchase, power or persuasion enough stuff to exceed the competitor. Even the usually calm Dutch in the Nederlands wanted to be as showy of their stuff as the most elegant nations of the time. Thus amid the windmills and canals of Holland we find palaces for the royal families modeled after elegant French palace courts, complete with extravagant gardens, hedgerows, boxwoods and even elegant stables. They even go so far as to copy the French spelling of "Palace" and refer to it as "Palais." All this pretense and imitation despite the natural beauty of the flowers and waterways so characteristic of Holland.

Do similar tensions and attitudes exist in the Triad? On the surface one would think so. Tensions exist between those who think baseball is good for us and those who think baseball is too expensive, too "taxing" and would lead to too much congestion. Tensions exist between those who think FedEx would be good for us and those who think it can only bring noise and air traffic to the otherwise peaceful and calm countryside. Tensions exist between those who want growth and development and those who want to maintain as nearly as possible the present levels of commercial density, landscaping and commercial design.

One would hope that in the 21st century we have learned enough from our European ancestors not to repeat their quarrelsome ways. Despite the century and despite the location it is consistently apparent that material prosperity, civic involvement, religious toleration and freedom of expression are values to be fought for and defended at every cost. Though we may disagree on methods and techniques, clearly the harmonious pursuit of these goals is more important than the feudal systems that put so much of European society in layers and tiers.