Category — History

I was listening to Coast To Coast with George Noory after picking up the DH from work and he had a guest on the show that brought up the idea that there are parallels between 21st century America and the Roman Empire.

I recall reading that when America was founded that the Founders wanted to emulate the idealized version of the Roman Republic combined with aspects of Athenian democracy.

I decided to Google the idea this morning so I can read up on it, plus read Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Lots of ideas and links, so I’ll do a tab-dump.

From The Globalist:Is America the New Roman Empire? The article discusses how President Bush discussedwanting to make the U.S. into the world’s ONLY military power. Rather disturbing I think.

From The Guardian:Rome, AD … Rome, DC? More in-depth article about the possibility that the States is wanting an Empire like Rome.

From the Guardian again:Waiting for the Barbarians where the author discusses how the increasing gap between the rich and the poor, the increasing inadequacy of social programs, like Social Security and Medicare, and other factors.

From Samizdata.net: Terence Kealey on the fall of the Roman Empire Excerpt of a book by Terence Kealy called The Economic Laws of Scientific Research which brings up some valid points about suppression of technology (brings in copyright, DRM, HDCP, etc.), how the powers-that-be reward the rich and ignore the poor and the loss of religious and intellectual freedom.

I thought about what was said on Coast to Coast and what I’ve read so far and I think that there is a parallel between the Roman Empire and America, but the situation isn’t as dire as some people think. But I do believe that some massive reforms are needed or there will be revolution.