I would like to point out that "learning from history" is essentially the same thing as employing the "scientific method".

How do we know what happens when alcohol is prohibited? The experiment's been done. It's found in history. How do we know why governments erect walls, or ban weapons? These experiments have been done, and the results can be found in history.

What happens during periods of hyperinflation? The experiments have been done. What happens when countries compromise with evil dictators? It's been tried. All sorts of experiments have been done. The results of many of them are easily found.

Dark Matter + Dark Energy = Dark Truth

"We find that such evidence demonstrates that the ID argument is dependent upon setting a scientifically unreasonable burden of proof for the theory of evolution." - Judge Jones Kitzmiller case
http://www.talkreason.org/articles/Falsify.cfm

"To Compel A Man To Furnish Funds For The Propagation Of Ideas He Disbelieves And Abhors Is Sinful And Tyrannical." - Thomas Jefferson

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath?" - Thomas Jefferson