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A video lecture I just watched discussed Polybius' view (and presumably that of other Romans during the days of the Republic) that monarchs would rule but eventually would have to share power with others, thereby producing an oligarchy. Oligarchs would rule but they too would recognize the need to share power with others, resulting in a democracy. Eventually, though, this would turn into “mob rule” and a single ruler would emerge to take control. I'm paraphrasing and simplifying it no doubt but Polybius viewed this cycle as being ongoing, except in the case of Rome. Rome's political structure, he thought, was good enough to overcome it.When I heard this I was thinking about the U.S. Do you think that our nation, founded in the late 18th century, will also fall prey to a kind of cycle like this eventually?
Don't we live in the era of mob rule already? It sure looks to me like the mob has figured out that they can vote themselves more bread and circuses. I see very little in government policy that is geared to the greater good but much that has to do with keeping the proles from getting too restless.
Don't we live in the era of mob rule already? It sure looks to me like the mob has figured out that they can vote themselves more bread and circuses. I see very little in government policy that is geared to the greater good but much that has to do with keeping the proles from getting too restless.
That's the thing - America seems to be morphing into an "entitlement" society in which the appetites of the masses are prioritized over objective realities we should be more concerned with. I think these entitlements come both in the form of tangible things (e.g. money) and intangible things (e.g. expanded "rights"). We are a nation that loves to call upon the Bill of Rights in defense of our personal autonomy. What we really need is a Bill of Responsibilities.In the end, I think that the cycle presented by Polybius has some truth and application for our own system of government.
Americans are throwing away civil liberties in exchange for “security” and are borrowing more than they can pay back (me included). Something has to give eventually because Homeland Security and record foreclosures are a bad recipe for democracy.
What liberties have been lost since 9-11? The only change I see is in airport security,and IMO, it's good that they are being a little more stringent. What's interesting, is every time someone says we've lost liberties, I ask which ones and have yet to get a concrete answer. As far as borrowing or debt, that's not the country's fault, it's the individuals'. Just because I am qualified and able to get a $35-50k equity loan doesn't mean I'm going to. If I'm concerned with heating costs this winter, that just means I have to put my priorities in order. Let's see, should I get that new laptop (which I don't really need, it'll just be convenient) or wait a few months and see what oil prices are going to do?
Zoning laws, infringement of Second Amendment rights, Homeland Security, FEMA, warrantless wiretaps, John Warner Defense Bill, Patriot Act I and II, mandatory vaccinations, no smoking ordinances, school uniforms, multiculturalism indoctrination, taking down of 10 Commandments, revocation of Posse Comitatus, library taxes, historical districts, affirmative action, martial law drills, ridiculous airport security for grandmas and granddads, confiscation of firearms during Katrina, curfews and lockdowns in Arkansas, and on and on I could go. These things are only the beginning if patriotic Americans don't say “enough!” Washington, Madison, and Jefferson would be highly disappointed with the direction our republic is going. We need deregulation of the economy, privatization of social security, an end to the assault weapons ban, and a dismantling of the Homeland Security Department….and the IRS while we're at it. Give power back to the states and reduce the power of the central government wherever we can….and slash the tax burden in half across the board.
Ski,Have you looked at the Federal Budget lately? If I managed my personal finances in the way the Federal Government does I would be in jail fro fraud at a minimum. I cannot think of any entity other than government that can spend so much money it doesnt have with only a vague promise to repay. Yes, debt is indeed a problem, both for individuals and the government. Have we all forgotten the scare of the mid-nineties when there was talk of a federal default?
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