The End of Empires

[said]

Throughout at least three thousand years from when records began - history shows that the fall of an empire each follow a similar pattern from start to finish. It does not matter ancient or new, they each go the same way.

The American Empire is on it's way out, it is reaching the average age for the end to occur.

(a) We do not learn from history because our studies are brief and prejudiced. (We are taught that everything in history was great and forget that many mistakes and atrocities occurred)
(b) In a surprising manner, 250 years emerges as the average length of national greatness.
(c) This average has not varied for 3,000years. Does it represent ten generations?
(d) The stages of the rise and fall of great nations seem to be: The Age of Pioneers (The Pilgrim Fathers) The Age of Conquests (Battles to protect the New grounds)The Age of Commerce (Markets and Trading)The Age of Affluence (The greed for money) The Age of Intellect (Popularity of higher education) The Age of Decadence. (Taking money and belongings for granted)
(e) Decadence is marked by defensiveness Pessimism Materialism Frivolity An influx of foreigners The Welfare State A weakening of religion.
(f) Decadence is due to: Too long a period of wealth and power Selfishness Love of money The loss of a sense of duty.
(g) The life histories of great states are amazingly similar, and are due to internal factors.
(h) Their falls are diverse, because they are largely the result of external causes.
(i) History should be taught as the history of the human race, though of course with emphasis on the history of the student’s own country.

Generalisations are always dangerous.Human beings are all different. The varietyin human life is endless. If this be the casewith individuals, it is much more so withnations and cultures. No two societies, notwo peoples, no two cultures are exactly thesame. In these circumstances, it will be easyThe Fate of Empires 21for critics to find many objections to whathas been said, and to point out exceptions tothe generalisations.

Empires are run by non-intellectuals, would it make any difference if learned people took charge?

Can we change the pattern of empires?

Are there likely to be a need for Empires since all countries are becoming independent?

[bensherman]

Throughout at least three thousand years from when records began - history shows that the fall of an empire each follow a similar pattern from start to finish. It does not matter ancient or new, they each go the same way.

The American Empire is on it's way out, it is reaching the average age for the end to occur.

(a) We do not learn from history becauseour studies are brief and prejudiced. (We are taught that everything in history was great and forget that many mistakes and atrocities occurred)
(b) In a surprising manner, 250 yearsemerges as the average length of nationalgreatness.
(c) This average has not varied for 3,000years. Does it represent ten generations?
(d) The stages of the rise and fall of greatnations seem to be:The Age of Pioneers (The Pilgrim Fathers) The Age of Conquests (Battles to protect the New grounds)The Age of Commerce (Markets and Trading)The Age of Affluence (The greed for money) The Age of Intellect (Popularity of higher education) The Age of Decadence. (Taking money and belongings for granted)
(e) Decadence is marked byefensivenessPessimismMaterialismFrivolityAn influx of foreignersThe Welfare StateA weakening of religion.
(f) Decadence is due to:Too long a period of wealth and powerSelfishnessLove of moneyThe loss of a sense of duty.
(g) The life histories of great states areamazingly similar, and are due to internalfactors.
(h) Their falls are diverse, because they arelargely the result of external causes.
(i) History should be taught as the historyof the human race, though of course withemphasis on the history of the student’s owncountry.

I am puzzled by this.
Yes empires emerge, decay and fall apart.
And no doubt hubris plays its part.
But "the welfare state"...I'd be really interested to see the evidence for that.
The Roman civilisation lasted 1000 years. How much of that you would class as an "empire" I don't know; the Ottoman Empire 600 years. Yet the Third Reich had come and gone inside 25 years.

[local]

Far from it the American "Empire" strange choice of word but hey ho is doing very well.

Its influence spreads far and wide, especially on waistlines.

And let's face it if one of the so-called bad actors China or Russia decides to expand their "waistlines" we are stuffed without American support although it would be a struggle with Biden.

Who would rely on say the French to support us

As to decadence so much of the US population is not in the least decadent they are far more reserved than we are.

[said]

Far from it the American "Empire" strange choice of word but hey ho is doing very well.

Its influence spreads far and wide, especially on waistlines.

And let's face it if one of the so-called bad actors China or Russia decides to expand their "waistlines" we are stuffed without American support although it would be a struggle with Biden.

Who would rely on say the French to support us

As to decadence so much of the US population is not in the least decadent they are far more reserved than we are.

America is not doing so well, the dollar has weakened to the point where economists have devalued it. The BRICS currency is all backed by gold - the dollar has no such support. All the World's trades that depend on the dollar are watching it very carefully. So far the States has propped up their currency with arms deals, Bank crashes, Covid, Oil etc., but that was a temporary prop. You cannot just print money and expect no repercussions. The decadent period has passed - they are now having to pull in their belts.

Why a weak US dollar makes waves around the world

- The Times

[local]

America like many nations (us included) is suffering from post covid blues and weak leadership.

It's not a time to take accurate readings.

[silver fox]

Far from it the American "Empire" strange choice of word but hey ho is doing very well.

Its influence spreads far and wide, especially on waistlines.

And let's face it if one of the so-called bad actors China or Russia decides to expand their "waistlines" we are stuffed without American support although it would be a struggle with Biden.

Who would rely on say the French to support us

As to decadence so much of the US population is not in the least decadent they are far more reserved than we are.

Hate to tell you this but it’s Trump who wants to back out of NATO, it’s Trump who said he would encourage Putin to do what the hell he wants if HE feels that someone hasn’t contributed enough, with Trump’s approach this will translate as who pays him.

[bensherman]

Leave local alone.
He/she is mine...

[said]

America like many nations (us included) is suffering from post covid blues and weak leadership.

It's not a time to take accurate readings.

Mmmh! Since 2008 and again in 2015 - seems to be in for the long haul then.

[said]

Far from it the American "Empire" strange choice of word but hey ho is doing very well.

Its influence spreads far and wide, especially on waistlines.

And let's face it if one of the so-called bad actors China or Russia decides to expand their "waistlines" we are stuffed without American support although it would be a struggle with Biden.

Who would rely on say the French to support us

As to decadence so much of the US population is not in the least decadent they are far more reserved than we are.

Not decadent, eh?
Example: The protective sand dune project on Salisbury beach lasted three days. A group of wealthy US homeowners spent $565,000 (£441,000) to build protective sand dunes near their properties - only to have the barriers wash away in days.

[Hamble]

sGZ will be miffed that you left out the Islamic Empire.

[said]

Hate to tell you this but it’s Trump who wants to back out of NATO, it’s Trump who said he would encourage Putin to do what the hell he wants if HE feels that someone hasn’t contributed enough, with Trump’s approach this will translate as who pays him.

I agree with Trump on that issue - NATO is dangerous. It may change its leadership every four years but there is a constant USA military presence at its head that has never changed. The United Nations is far more suited when trying to resolve global issues. NATO is a bloated warmongering force without teeth, the UN prefers peace talks.

[Toodles McGinty]

I agree with Trump on that issue - NATO is dangerous. It may change its leadership every four years but there is a constant USA military presence at its head that has never changed. The United Nations is far more suited when trying to resolve global issues. NATO is a bloated warmongering force without teeth, the UN prefers peace talks.

You think the UN has teeth?

The UN spends lots of time voting about things that everyone ignores. Their resolutions come to little.

They are useful for relief after the event. They are useful for helping out when things go wrong. They don't stop things going wrong. How is Russia still on the Security Council after invading and slaughtering in Ukraine?

Toothless.

Putin isn't bothered about the UN. Russia is bothered about the combined might of the US and European military being nearby. NATO isn't perfect, but it is far more useful at stopping insane dictators than the UN is.

[local]

Not decadent, eh?
Example: The protective sand dune project on Salisbury beach lasted three days. A group of wealthy US homeowners spent $565,000 (£441,000) to build protective sand dunes near their properties - only to have the barriers wash away in days.

Puny example that,

look to your mates in Russia then perhaps to India and the Middle East if you want decadence whilst the peasants struggle.

Putins hyper rich take from the people of Russia is legendary.

His coterie of tame oligarchs have plundered the nation to have extroadinary lifestyles.

Indian weddings at over $100 million for example leave those poor yanks in the shade.