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KEY WORDS: I. Oxytocin, hormone, primal health, endorphins, labor and delivery; II. gestational diabetes, obstetrics, nocebo effect, hypertension
I. MARGARET THATCHER AND OXYTOCIN: 1979
History can be explored from multiple perspectives.
The roles played by political leaders appear as a dominant and highly popular aspect of history. Even before the publication of Bill Clinton's memoir, we can already bet that they will interest millions of readers.
In contrast the history of the different energy sources human beings have used through the ages provides another perspective. For example, the discoveries of fire, electricity, and nuclear power were important new developments in the history of mankind. The widespread use of coal and oil has characterized the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The survival of our civilizations now demands the development of renewable energy sources.
Today we witness a landmark in our vision of human development. In the current scientific context we are beginning to recognize the importance of the 'primal period', particularly the environmental factors during fetal life and the perinatal period, for all aspects of the formation of a human being. This is linked with the history of our understanding of human nature.
1979: From the First Viewpoint
From the perspective of popular interest in the personality, the actions and the influence of states (wo)men, 1979 may be considered a turning point.
In February of that year, the fundamentalist cleric Ayatollah Khomeini leaves his villa in a Parisian suburb, boards a chartered Air France Boeing and flies to Teheran. His project is to restore a regime that had existed almost 1,300 years ago.
Three months later, in Great Britain, Margaret Thatcher formally accepts her appointment as prime minister by kissing the monarch's hands. Her ambition is the promotion of free market economy associated with Victorian liberalism. These concomitant events have been recognized as 'harbingers' of a new era. (Wheen, 2004)
Both these political leaders were highly ideological. Both of them also shared an autocratic style.
Today Ayatollah Khomeini remains the imperative reference for those whose dream is to install Islamic theocracies, while Margaret Thatcher remains a symbol of free market economy. Thatcherism is associated with materialism and individualism.
1979: From a second Viewpoint
Those who focus on the history of energy sources may also consider 1979...