A second is the dismantling since 1986 of constraints imposed by the Marcos dictatorship,such as the instruments of atate censorship,state-directed and state-sponsored writing of an "official history" the suppression through military rule of free thought and contrary viewpoints, and the pervasive fear among ordinary citizens engendered by blatant violations by the Marcos administration of our human rights. A social environment that is largely free from the fear of stste power abuse is always a stimulus to intellectual and cultural creativity, including historical research.