The American Republic Is On the Ropes. Will History Repeat Itself?

Two millennia ago there was another great Republic, Rome. It too was brought down, not from without but from within. It too had fallen into the hands of a megalomaniac, a man who convinced the citizens that he alone could save their country. He offered them law and order. They surrendered their democratic rights in the bargain.

His name was Augustus Caesar.

Imagine a world in which political norms have broken down. Senators use bad faith arguments to block the government from getting anything done. An autocrat rigs elections and gives himself complete control over the government. Even stranger, many voters subscribe to the autocrat’s personality cult and agree that he should have absolute control.


Comments

  1. Northern PoVJanuary 9, 2021 at 8:51 AM

    "Will History Repeat Itself?"

    first as tragedy then as farce ...

    or did we just skip stage one and go straight to farce?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Disaffected LibJanuary 9, 2021 at 10:14 AM

      I don't think Americans will skip stage one, NPoV .

      Delete
    2. Owen GrayJanuary 9, 2021 at 11:06 AM

      Benjamin Franklin warned Americans that the could only have a republic if they could keep it.

      Delete
    3. The Disaffected LibJanuary 10, 2021 at 7:32 AM

      A lot of wisdom has been lost, Owen. They once knew to keep differences civil and the importance of maintaining social cohesion. No longer.

      Delete
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