Always Be on Both Sides

Always be on both sides.

History is the struggle for human freedom*. At any point, history is represented by concurrent great struggles, and each struggle tends to have two sides. Eventually historical conflicts are resolved by an effective melding of various characteristics of either side. The most violent form of this conflict resolution and melding of human energies is war.**

The resolution of these conflicts often results in the historical overthrow of orders associated with either side. In a modern postindustrial democratic society, this kind of disruption is unacceptable.  The mastery of history, and the continuance of power, requires the guardians of the Establishment to be removed from the chaotic effects of these struggles as they play out. All bets on either side must be hedged to the maximum degree. It is thus ultimately necessary to always be on both sides.

*Hegel.
**see Leary and others.