A New Historical Materialist Interpretation of the Role of Historical Figures: On the Concept of “Makers of History in a Broad Sense”

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the issue of historical figures (influential people, mainly leaders who stand out in history) “making history.” Accordingly, it proposes and demonstrates a new interpretation of the role of historical figures as “makers of history in a broad sense.” To dialectically accommodate the relationship between “times” and “heroes,” historical figures’ coming to prominence and their activities are thought of as the combined effects of historical necessity and contingency. The roles of historical figures are analyzed specifically according to different circumstances in line with the objective laws of history. The interpretation uses historical examples to illustrate the idea that the decisions of historical figures have the power to decisively influence a country’s history in certain periods, and even dominate the nature of a certain social stage through their actions; at the same time, the most effective actions of historical figures somehow essentially reflect the masses’ needs. In this sense, this paper argues that the principles of historicity, objectivity and value should be employed comprehensively to make critical judgments on historical figures.