Unlike many historians, Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406) did not simply record events; he questioned them. While his conclusions were not always correct, his effort to seek deeper explanations is highly commendable.

For example, he wrote that “government is an institution which prevents injustice other than such as it commits itself.” This suggests that injustices carried out by a government are often presented as legitimate until proven otherwise. This pattern can be observed in many powerful nations throughout history and even in modern governments. This is evident in the present-day US government, where there appears to be a clear failure to remove one of the most criticised presidents in its history. This echoes another of Ibn Khaldun’s insights: “The past resembles the future more than one drop of water resembles another.”

As a possible long-term solution, Ibn Khaldun argued that “businesses owned by responsible and organised merchants shall eventually surpass those owned by wealthy rulers.” In other words, individuals must actively seek knowledge and support responsible people, both locally and internationally, rather than enabling those who may cause harm.