OT: This Forum is a Historical Account

[oleg]

Oh yes, USA is the MOST important country right now. But so was Roman empire and if you go through Roman newspapers circa 300 ad did you read any news about some odd events between Don and Volga rivers ?

[CNCRaymond]

You know Oleg, I have to agree with you about the Roman likeness here. I do think that the US is destroying itself from the inside out thus weakening its outer defense. This weakening of our outer defense will ultimately spell out doom. I think the Chines will have a major role in that doom.

[Cipher7071]

I've heard the Rome analogy before, and I think there's something to it. It's the decay from within that's most worrysome.

[Fyron]

Originally posted by oleg:
Oh yes, USA is the MOST important country right now. But so was Roman empire and if you go through Roman newspapers circa 300 ad did you read any news about some odd events between Don and Volga rivers ?

Newspapers did not exist back then. If they did, you would read about odd events in the northern areas of Europe, or in the east near Byzantine. Or any number of places within the Roman Empire. Or... even better... some really nasty stuff they did down in Carthage... don't compare the US "empire" to that of the Romans. There is simply no comparison. The Romans commited atrocities daily, and then brought "civilization" to the survivors (unless they were Carthaginians). The US has certainly done some disreputable stuff over the Last few decades, but nothing to the scale that the Romans did.

[Fyron]

A big reason that the Roman Empire decayed from within is that they did not have the means to effectively govern such a massive empire from a central location; various provinces (especially far off ones) had too much autonomy, and the emperor/senate had little knowledge of the happenings in such far off provinces. The US has the advantage of instant communications.

Another problem with Rome was that the Senate was not a representative body; it was simply composed of members of the major houses of Rome. This is not the case with the US.

Additionally, the US has frequent changes in leadership with forced elections. This allows for changes in policy every few years. This will at the very least delay any stagnation or fall.

[Nocturnal]

Fyron, you don't seem to see how funny your two Posts were!

[CNCRaymond]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
A big reason that the Roman Empire decayed from within is that they did not have the means to effectively govern such a massive empire from a central location; various provinces (especially far off ones) had too much autonomy, and the emperor/senate had little knowledge of the happenings in such far off provinces. The US has the advantage of instant communications.

So what your saying is.... bigger government means more control? The advantage of instant commincations did little to prevent some of our nations worst disasters.

Another problem with Rome was that the Senate was not a representative body; it was simply composed of members of the major houses of Rome. This is not the case with the US.

this really depends upon your point of view. I think most of the people in the House and Senate are from Major houses of the America. They are mostly from very privlaged families that is.

Additionally, the US has frequent changes in leadership with forced elections. This allows for changes in policy every few years. This will at the very least delay any stagnation or fall.

I think in Roman times they called this public executions or something along the lines of "Feed them to the lions!"

LOL

[ December 14, 2003, 21:01: Message edited by: CNCRaymond ]