Why Empires Fall

Via comment by Sioux on The South: The Genesis of American Independence

Although the generalization is usually applied to republics, according to Sir John Glubb, a British author and lecturer, most empires don’t last longer than 250 years.

Or as Sir John said in summation:

As numerous points of interest have arisen in the course of this essay, I close with a brief summary, to refresh the reader’s mind.

(a)  We do not learn from history because our studies are brief and prejudiced.

(b) In a surprising manner, 250 years emerges as the average length of national greatness.

(c) This average has not varied for 3,000 years.  Does it represent ten generation?

(d) The stages of the rise and fall of great nations seem to be:

• The Age of Pioneers (outburst)
• The Age of Conquests
• The Age of Commerce
• The Age of Affluence
• The Age of Intellect
• The Age of Decadence.

 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.

—(Sir John Glubb)

When did we start our slide from a limited government to a centrally-planned Leviathan masquerading as a utopian paradise?

 

Does any of this sound familiar?  In other words all empires rise and all empires fall.  It is the luck of the draw or the happenstance of birth that situates us as spectators of the fall.

I know from experience as the Author of The Constitution Failed that if you question the viability of the American experiment even the most humble participant in that experiment becomes indignant.  As I have been asked repeatedly, “How can you say, the Constitution failed don’t you mean, we failed the Constitution?” This always elicits my response, “Is that a distinction without a difference?”

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