. . ."History", as we know it, being a procession of illusory short-cuts which prove to be characteristic sins (& thus delays on Dante's road). Characteristic of the 20th century : the notion that since morality is merely an illusion, it could be made to serve (servant of force in the realm of action, & of innovation in the realm of ideas). Its trinity : Lenin, Stalin, Hitler.

Characteristic of the 21st century (so far) : my physical & economic well-being is the earthly paradise; as long as I behave myself, I don't need to worry about those other people. (Maybe this is every century.)