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Economics
National Security

UnArchived: Lessons From the Past

The UnArchived: Lessons from the Past video series explains why a given policy or strategy did or did not work. These short videos pair historical research with modern policy analysis to address the choices and challenges facing society today. Based on the work of Hoover fellows and the collections of the Library & Archives.

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As China looks to coercively bring Taiwan back under its control, the United States would do well to remember the foreign policy mistake that was the Acheson Line and the consequences of being non-committal to our allies.

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For centuries, Russia has secured impossible victories through the sacrifice of endless blood and steel, relying on wars of attrition to overwhelm beleaguered opponents.

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NATO has proven its enduring necessity through unified support of Ukraine and its role in securing historic European peace.

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Government spending surged during the pandemic, but has only slightly decreased, while the projected federal deficit continues to accumulate trillions in debt annually.

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The historical use of defense treaties and clear lines of engagement provide a pathway for the United States to prevent a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

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Much like the Spanish Civil War, the invasion of Ukraine is a reminder that aggression is always lurking and must be deterred by forceful resistance.

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America is experiencing a return of high inflation and uncertain economic growth. Could this be a sign of stagflation?

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Reports from the invasion of Ukraine strongly suggest that Russia and its leaders have committed war crimes against the Ukrainian people in defiance of international human rights standards.

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The Federal Reserve has, at times, responded slowly to inflation, but a rules-based approach could prevent future mistakes.

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Sweden and Finland are dropping their neutrality, joining NATO and returning to their historical opposition to Russia.

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Deterring major conflicts or bringing them to a close often requires opening “second fronts” that dissipate an enemy’s strength.

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Democracies fail when their citizens are unable or unwilling to unite against leaders who break the law to stay in power.

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A flat tax has led to less tax avoidance and more revenue for countries whose governments have embraced it.

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America has always relied on intelligence operations to enhance its national security—starting with our Founding Fathers and the American Revolution.

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Many Americans throughout history have favored an isolationist policy for the United States, but withdrawing from the world could have catastrophic consequences, both at home and abroad.

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Although Vladimir Putin seeks to rehabilitate Josef Stalin’s image to legitimize his agenda, we must not forget the terror that Stalin unleashed on Russia.

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England’s Glorious Revolution of 1688 demonstrates why countries that make a credible commitment to protect property rights ultimately prosper.

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The Electoral College encourages presidential campaigns to appeal to moderate voters, not just their most avid supporters.
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Artificially manipulating prices in order to solve political problems only leads to detrimental shortages, job losses, and other economic hardships.

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For deterrence to work, nations must have both the capability to exert force and the clear willingness to use it when needed.