History rarely repeats itself exactly, but it often follows familiar patterns. Before *World War II*, Germany did not suddenly become destabilizing. The warning signs appeared gradually through behaviour, not rhetoric.
Germany developed a strong sense of exceptionalism. It believed its grievances justified bending rules, ignoring international agreements and pressuring others to comply. Power was framed as moral necessity. Institutions were shaped to reinforce narratives of strength and progress, while dissent was increasingly viewed as disloyalty. Much of the world dismissed these signs as temporary or internal.
That misjudgment proved costly.
Today, many observers see uncomfortable similarities in how the United States exercises its influence. This is not a claim of equivalence but a comparison of *patterns of power.*
First is moral certainty. Pre-war Germany believed it alone understood what was right for Europe. Today, the U.S. often presents its actions as inherently just, positioning itself as the global arbiter of acceptable behaviour.
Second is the *selective application of rules*. Germany ignored international norms when inconvenient. The U.S. strongly enforces global rules on rivals or smaller countries while excusing allies who violate the same standards. Law becomes leverage, not principle.
Third is coercion over cooperation. Germany relied on pressure and intimidation. The U.S. relies on sanctions, military power, financial exclusion, visa restrictions and diplomatic pressure. The tools differ; the logic is familiar.
A striking modern parallel lies in immigration and visa policy. Access to the U.S. increasingly depends on scrutiny of applicants’ speech and opinions, encouraging self-censorship despite freedom of speech being a core constitutional right for Americans at home.
History offers a simple warning: when power loses restraint and consistency, legitimacy erodes.
Strength may command compliance but only fairness sustains leadership.
History does not repeat. But it often rhymes.
Akt writes from Lagos