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Monday, July 25, 2022

Late Roman Republic Shows What Can Happen to Our Democratic Republic

On January 6, 2021, there is little dispute now that President Donald Trump, in a desperate attempt to cling to power, unleashed an angry mob on the capitol. His goal was to prevent Congress from certification of election results. He was glued to Fox News and was watching the action in real time and did nothing to stop the violence for 187 minutes, even though a feces-smearing horde was both armed and willing to hang the Vice President. America's noble but fragile experiment in democracy nearly came to an end that day.  This is why the congressional investigation into precisely what transpired is so important. Though some Congressional Democrats may have political motives, the Republicans who have provided most of the testimony belie the assertion that this is just politics. It's much more than that. Those of you who are familiar with the late Roman Republic and its downfall into autocratic rule by a string of emperors, should be well aware how easily any democratic government can be perverted. 

Rome existed for about 300 years as a monarchy before it tossed out its kings in favor of a republic around 509 BCE. That form of representative government endured nearly 500 years until it finally fell under the rule of "first citizen" Octavian, better known as Caesar Augustus. What happened? 

There have been numerous books on this topic, all with multiple theories. Let me provide my own, with analogies to what is going on here. 

First, there was wide wealth disparity between optimates "the haves" and populares "have nots." Optimates controlled the Roman Senate. Populares had little authority by comparison.  So the Roman Republic was actually more of an oligarchy, in which the few made the rules, largely to benefit themselves. 

America's democratic republic is slowly but surely morphing into an oligarch as well. A Princeton study demonstrates quite clearly that policies favored by most of us receive scant attention from our elected representatives, while those favored by the wealthy and campaign contributors receive all the attention. 

Second, in the late Roman Republic, there was a rise in demogogues. This started with the Gracchus brothers. They appealed to the masses with promises of land reform, but would incite the mob with violent rhetoric. and were often accompanied by armed thugs. Government was in gridlock, very much like the government we see today. 

Third was the rise of authoritarians. Pro-plebe Gaius Marius was the first Roman general to march on Rome. What followed was a purge of pro-optimate citizens. Then came pro-optimate Lucius Cornelius Sulla ("no greater friend, no worse enemy") who purged the populares and had himself declared Dictator for life by a cowed senate. After enacting a number of reforms to ensure that optimates remained in control, Sulla gave up his title. This is something Julius Caesar, himself a populare and an optimate, could never understand.  The reforms failed and Rome descended into civil war after Julius Caesar decided he might as well march on Rome, too.  He was both an able administrator and perhaps the best military commander the world has ever known. Whether he would have stabilized Rome will never be known because senate assassins killed him. 

"Democracy" had become both undemocratic and unstable for Romans. They were probably relieved when "first citizen" Octavian became Caesar Augustus and ruled Rome as a benevolent (sort of ) dictator.  Democracy here is far from democratic. Like the late Roman Republic, our elected officials are almost always in gridlock.  There has been a rise in authoritarian types on the local (Lynch), state (Wolf, Matriano) and national (Trump) levels. The executive branch is asserting itself in ways that were unthinkable until the Vietnam War. We have presidents who legislate by Executive order, while governors imposed lockdowns with no regard to the people being hurt. 

And like Gaius Marius, Sulla and Caesar, we had a President incite a mob to obstruct Congress in an attempted coup. 

The Roman Republic lasted five centuries before devolving into an autocratic state. We have only existed half that time and are in deep peril. To those who would like to see our democratic republic stick around, that is why the J6 committee matters.

36 comments:

  1. America is doomed!

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  2. Excellent essay! Sad, and true.

    ~!reg

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  3. What a stretch to claim Jan. 6 is a symptom of authoritarian rule, and a partisan hearing is were there is hope.

    Like Rome our government and politicians has become corrupt, from insider trading by politicians, to kick backs on funds dispersed to foreign countries. Injustice abounds, all in the pursuit of more political power. Power over all aspects of human life.

    Yes, authoritarian government is on the rise from the elite rulers, who fear they are losing control.

    To claim that those who questioned the results of the last election are the new authoritarians is just another attempt to place the blame on the opposition. Why not a system of elections we can ALL have faith in, rather than one that can be manipulated to the result some want.

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  4. The left looks at ancient Rome through this lens. The right looks at ancient Rome through the lens of social debauchery and out of control central spending that outstripped the ability to pay for it. Romans learned what Republicans were forced to learn in the 90s and what Democrats will be forced to learn in three short months: it's the economy, stupid. It's always the economy. It's always about money. Other things are interesting and debatable. But they don't matter at all; not even a little.

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  5. From the original post:

    "Though some Congressional Democrats may have political motives..."


    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Do you think?

    This is a fraud committee with the sole purpose of trying to help the democrats politically. Democrats and their media allies would much rather talk about Trump than things like record high inflation, recession, high gas and home heating costs, failed covid policy, failing schools, shortages of food and other necessities of life, the botched pullout in Afghanistan that left the Taliban stronger and China with our military airbase, etc., etc. etc.

    Those are all the results of failed democrat POLICIES and without even getting to the blatant corruption of the current president and his son.

    If the finding the truth about January 6th was really so important to the democrats, they would:

    - Release all the video from that day (instead of selectively edited portions of the videos)

    - Have allowed the Republicans to choose who would be on the committee (instead of only those that had a bias against Trump and who Nancy Pelosi approved)

    - Allowed a full investigation of what happened that day (and not just focused on getting Trump).

    But the truth isn't what the committee is interested in the truth, and people are onto it. Ratings of the last hearing were down, and will continue to fall as people recognize the committee fraud that it is.

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    1. Thank goodness there is still someone with a voice of sanity! @7:33am. It boggles my mind how the resident of the US polls in double digits. Oh yeah, they must have polled a few graveyards, where they dug up the 81 million votes.

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  6. Bernie's unhinged.

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  7. The only election trump should be eligible for is the 23rd assistant to the 15th deputy animal control office in Monowi, Nebraska

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  8. "The left looks at ancient Rome through this lens. The right looks at ancient Rome"

    This is about the downfall of a republic, not the empire itself. The immorality and debauchery of which you speak came with the rise of autocrats. The empire fell for many reasons, including its vastness and inequality. While still a Republic, Rome was hardly hedonistic. You are confusing empire with the republic. You also fail to grasp that this is about democracy, not Democrats and Republicans.

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  9. Thank you for yet another post explaining exactly why Republicans will overwhelm those God-fearing, polite, understanding and compassionate democracy loving democrats in 2022, 2024, and many more future elections. Trump may ask congress to declare January 6th a national holiday after he is overwhelmingly elected as 47th president, thanks to guys like you.

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  10. The Vox Conversations podcast just put out an episode about free speech/communication and media and democracy that echoed a lot of your points...highly recommend.

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  11. Bernie (and others), are you familiar with the theories of Oswald Spengler? Basically that civilizations go through life cycles, and nothing is eternal. The idea that in order to save our civilization we must stake everything in Democracy is putting the cart before the horse Democracy isn't an end goal, it is a tool. If you don't focus on the real problems (social cohesion, spirituality, decadence, ethnic faction) then we don't have a chance of holding back the tide

    Here's a lecture that was given at Lafayette College a few years ago on the topic:

    https://youtu.be/LFQxSESQo3I

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  12. 7:35 - do you think the Kool aid will taste better when trump sells it to you?

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  13. The upcoming choice of leadership for this nation comes down to one question. That is . .

    “Going forward, do you prefer to live in the world the present Federal Administration has prepared for you, OR, are you hoping to return the life you lived under the previous Administration?”

    For me, the Trump years are where I’d rather be. Easy decision, and one I think most Americans will make.

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  14. ATT: 7:33
    Stay tuned. Reread your post in a few months and let us hear from you then.

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  15. I knew trump was an ass in the 90s when he would be on stern. It's hard to believe anyone would think he is presidential material. Especially now.

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  16. @9:07
    You aren't sane when you tell yourself(7:33) you are, as a different person.
    You will be among the last remnants of the cult that believes what Trump is feeding you.
    Lies.
    Rupert Murdoch has seen the light. Open your eyes and you might, too.

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  17. 11:23 - tell me more about the trump years? what did he do? cut taxes for the wealthy which you are not? help me understand please.

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  18. When Nixon left the White House in disgrace, he was a bitter alcoholic who was consumed with paranoia. He was later seen in a more favorable light, especially regarding China. Nobody is as bad as they look or act in their worst moment. Trump will rise again. America is like that. I think that's why those who despise him are conducting hearings. They don't believe Trump and his followers have learned any lesson and that they are poised to campaign to regain power. They are right. Those who say the hearings are a campaign tactic are also right. Everybody is exactly right. The Trump chapter of US history isn't over. Full disclosure: I can't stand the guy. But I haven't liked any president since I began voting in the early 70s.

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  19. 1:42 You are 100% correct. In addition to his interviews and statements in appearances, there were books, articles and other materials available that accurately described his activities in the business world, particularly real estate. My opinions of him were formed long before he ever ran for any office. I never would have believed he could have convinced intelligent Republicans and other talented business people to be their candidate for President had I not seen it happen. In my opinion Donald Trump's rise and success could only happen in a decadent society in which large numbers of people lost belief in both major political parties and the traditional ways US government affairs were supposed to be conducted.

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  20. Most of the mutants running the Republican Party hate the United States and will do anything to destroy it. Ronald Reagan must be turning over in his grave. At least Rush Limbaugh isn't here to lead them on. I wish more Republicans would take up smoking.

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    1. You are kidding right? Mutants? Seriously?

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  21. While this is relevant and great reflection by Bernie, I’m thinking about a period a little closer to this one: Germany’s Weimar Republic in the time just before Hitler ascended to power in 1933. It was a socially liberal time, with a lot of parallels to today. Economically, the German nation was experiencing hyperinflation (not 10 percent a year, wheelbarrows of Reichsmarks to buy a loaf of bread). The combination of national reaction to divergent (arguably liberal) social behavior and crippling inflation led to a strongman stating he could make Germany great again.

    Don’t ask me - watch Cabaret. Great story.

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  22. The only light Rupert Murdoch has seen is in his current wife, Mick Jagger's ex, Jerry Hall. His media empire, and his papers' editorial content is now run by his liberal leaning sons, Lachlan and James. whom Trump once derided as "rich kids playing with Daddy's bankroll".

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  23. 3:38 -Everyone’s Federal taxes were cut! My goodness, every tax bracket rate of taxation was lowered and the amount of deductions a taxpayer can use was doubled! All persons taking from their IRAs and 401(k)s pay less in taxes now. Even Social Security recipients benefited greatly by the Trump Tax Plan. Read up, man!

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  24. Trump did not cut taxes for the wealthy as he limited the state & local tax deduction that hit the wealthy wage earner hard in their pocketbook while rates were reduced for all income levels.

    The elites living in high income tax states like NY,NJ,Cal, Illinois got hit hard & Pelosi \Schumer want to take care of them to eliminate that cap in any new legislation where it would be slid quietly into the bill. Ask Susan Wilde about this scam.

    So it was the high income corporate execs & lawyers etc that took it on the chin with Trump Tax bill despite the rhetoric you have been fed. Average Joe got a nice tax break putting extra money in their pockets .

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  25. I know I am probably not capturing this fully but Trump has been accused of rape multiple times, accused of sexual harassments multiple times, accused of stealing form the unions multiple times, Being a thug for his daddy, accused of paying off judges, accused of getting his financing through Russian connections, documented as not paying his bills, documented as tampering with witnesses, documented with paying off governmental officials, Documented as utilizing lawsuit to manipulate the legal system, Documented as threatening numerous people, Documented as raising money on his followers and using it for personal gains instead of the cause he told his contributors it would be utilized for. Documented as stealing from numerous non-profits, Documented as committing repeated fraud, Documented as not paying unions, documented as not paying those who work for him and his company, documented as a habitual liar, documented as a being tied to the Russian Mob, Documented as being partial to communist women, By his own admission more admiring Dictatorship then democracy, By his own admission willing to grab any women by the crotch because he is famous, By his own admission that wall women would and should enjoy him showing interest in them even if it is just pissing on them, By his own admission thinks the military are losers, By his own admission thinks that substandard individuals are only worth what they can do for him. Documented as disparaging special needs individuals, By his own admission thinks that anyone who does not 100% agree with him are scum bags and cowards. By his own actions thinks that anyone not of perfect status is a retard and should be joked about accordingly. By his own admission believes he should have absolute power. and so many other things. But yet many people still admire and believe him and follow him like a cult. It truly puzzles me how anyone in the military, union person, cop, public service person military person and or woman might in the least way find him a leader unless they personally have a self depredating loser self image. It kind of seems like putting a loaded gun against your chest and pulling the trigger then proclaiming that you never thought you were actually going to be shot.

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    1. You summed it up perfectly 11:20. Try explaining this to my entire family every thanksgiving and July 4th picnic. They call me a radical libtard.

      Oh, and they're ALL IN for Doug Mastriano. And they still believe that the Clintons had people killed, starting with Vince Foster.

      Family:. You read this blog. YOU'RE FCKING NUTS!

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    2. Wow...what a load of bullshit!

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  26. @ 6:08,
    The New York Post and Wall Street Journal are now Liberal publications? That's too funny.
    Almost as funny as Trump pointing his finger at others being "rich kids playing with Daddy's bankroll." You do know Trump was bankrolled by his own Daddy, right?
    You need an intervention to free you from the cult.

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  27. 11.20 wow, you believe all this and you call others cultists.

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  28. 11:20, That about sums it up. I could never see how this amoral bully appealed to anyone with a hint of ethical or religious values.

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  29. @5:40 you for sure have lost all your cognitive powers and should be evaluated. I know this is a hard concept for you and many Trump loving special individuals. But, do a little digging and I mean it only takes a very slight digging and you will see that all of the above is accurate. ON top of it above it doe not dive deeper into the multiple times some of those have occurred. There are probably even numerous other things which have been buried over time. As part of any resolution he mandates that all records be sealed and hidden. He buries stuff over and over. Trump has been on the fringe since he was a kid protect by daddy and mommy and still is somewhat sheltered by mommy and daddy's money to this day.

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  30. @11:20

    Perfect!!!

    He has nine lives and used up 20 of them. It’s time for him to pay. Jail time.

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  31. 10 minutes of prominent Democrats denying legitimate election results ....

    https://twitter.com/i/status/1550263614728278016

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  32. @1:26 are you talking your brains or something more specific?

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