I am often asked why I am so optimistic about the future. The reason is because the more I study life on this amazing planet, the more evidence I find that good is more powerful than evil. Throughout history, leaders have ruled using fear and manipulation to control the populace; many have had success, but always in the short term. The most notorious examples of this type of leadership are political dictators. With few exceptions, they come to power through brute force and are eventually overthrown by brute force. Good always triumphs in the end, but it can take time.
Why is it important to discuss or even to study evil? Why can't we just ignore it, live good lives and hope that it goes away? The reason is because evil breeds on ignorance and fear. When it is understood, it loses its power. There is no hiding the evil of the Nazi regime, for example. Through honest study of Hitler's state, we have come to a much deeper understanding of the anatomy of genocide and the anatomy of evil. As a result, Europe has advanced to the point where countries who were once at war now share a common government. Populations that once practiced genocide have today become vigilant in acknowledging and overcoming all forms of racism.
If we contrast that to a situation where an equally evil regime has been largely forgotten, we see a vastly different situation today. There are many examples that I could choose from, but I will focus on The Democratic Republic of Congo, which was once known as the Congo Free State. More than 100 years ago, this vast area was ruled as the private plantation of Belgian King Leopold II and run by his brutal lieutenants. The suffering of the natives was no less than that of the Jews under the Nazis, yet, though Leopold was eventually discovered and disgraced, these crimes have been largely glossed over by history. As a result, the Congo has not progressed. In fact, the current leadership (or lack thereof) holds many similarities to Leopold's regime. Since 1994, there have been more lives lost in wars in the DRC than in any conflict since World War II.
What is the reason for this difference? I believe that it is exposure to truth. Evil feeds on ignorance and fear. When we understand evil, however, it loses its power. We see it for the pathetic lie that it is. We understand that good triumphs and that we really have nothing to fear. We not only become resistant to evil, we are inspired to be positive forces of change. We see the contrast of those who have adopted theories of leadership based on integrity, personal discipline, faith, persistence and positive imagery, and we become part of the change. Though it can take time to achieve results positive leadership always works. We see this in business, education, government and even in families.
Some advocates of positive thought say to ignore the bad that exists in the world and to forget the past. I do not agree. I believe that it is important to understand the anatomy of evil and then (and this point is extremely important) do as Gandhi taught us, "Be the change we want to see in the world." When we do so, we live lives of meaning and joy. We know that we are part of an amazing force much bigger than ourselves. That is how we change the world.
