History repeating itself, we've learned nothing

HOW EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT KILLED ANCIENT ROME

It's not a new article, but everything we're experiencing today, debasement of the currency, taxes, government regulation, price controls, is what destroyed ancient Rome.

Here's the article:
http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cjv14n2-7.html

A couple of quotes from it:
"Despite the fact that the death penalty applied to violations of the price controls, they were a total failure."

"In conclusion, the fall of Rome was fundamentally due to economic deterioration resulting from excessive taxation, inflation, and over-regulation."

We've learned nothing in the last 2,000 years.

 

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Not sure how this is bullion investing, but I agree... we will surely see the fall of our empire in my life.

 

I disagree, but I admit my track record is not that good.

 

It's pretty convenient to make the assumption that the fall of Rome supports one's political views. Real life tends to be more complex. It could just as easily be asked: did Rome fall because they debased the money, or was the money debased because Rome was falling?

 

You really need to read the article, it's not very long. Its got everything, debasing the money, taxing the rich, freebies for the poor, price controls. It doesn't support my political views, I've never expressed my political views on the internet. If I did, I'd be banned.

 

Actually, I think the lead pipes, employed in the conveyance of water, contributed more to Romes downfall....

 

How about the other empires before Rome or after. England, France, Spain, Egypt, Aztec, Prussian, Greek and the rest. Same contributing factors as Rome?

Lou

 

Yeah, and lead wasn't a factor.....

 

As cloudsweeper pointed out, these are very complex topics; the same ol' "25 words or less" mindset just doesn't work.

As far as "the fall of our empire", I say rubbish.

Yes, history repeats. Boom. Bust. Boom. Bust. repeat. Crash of 1837. 1861. 1873. and on and on and on. The booms outweigh the busts by a wide margin. And through it all we have a phenominally high standard of living, innovation, and technological advancement.

And yet, we have people with money to spend on luxuries like rare coins proclaiming the end of the world. :loud: :headbang:

Here, in the Thanksgiving season, I say"GRATITUDE, anyone ?"

Personally, I am deeply grateful for the awesome blessings in my life. It's just not possible to be pessimistic.

 

I like what you're sayin' 900fine......we indeed are very blessed.

 

I read the article. It's all opinion and the author never proved any cause and effect. LSM is correct that over time, the ruling class in Rome was somewhat brain damaged from the lead, leading to impaired judgement, and that is actually documented unlike the original article in this thread.

 

Thank you for that post. I don't know if I can nominate or not, but it is called for here. :thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

"We've learned nothing in the last 2,000 years."

I don't remember that Romans were using laptops or performing heart-transplant operations..

 

Yup, totally agree. The "good old days" are days I'd just as soon not re-visit.
Although far from perfect, today's world is a better one than my parents grew up in.

 

Well, silly me. The 6 page article did cite 43 references, but I guess it must be wrong. We don't use lead pipes anymore, so I guess we don't have anything to worry about. I was wrong about us not learning anything, we have laptops now, and no lead in the plumbing, so I'm sure price controls, debasing currency, handouts for everyone, and excessive government regulation won't have the same effects they did in ancient rome. No wait, those things aren't what destroyed ancient rome, it was the lead in the pipes. Or maybe its just too complicated for me to understand. Yes, everything is great now, and will just get better and better. Thanks everyone!

 

LOL
I've got an idea. Let's just all say "Screw the Constitution!!" and the RESTRICTIONS it places on government (please ignore the fact that it does not list what the government SHOULD do for each individual, nor does it 'grant' rights to individuals because the founders realized that they couldn't 'grant' rights, they were just reafirming the God given rights we are born with) and continue on with our social experiments by high minded, morally superior career politicians like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Ried and Obama who just happen to be far more intelligent than past historical figures such as but not limited to; George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, etc. Throw caution to the wind, everyone, and LET'S HAVE A FREE FOR ALL!!!

 

...perhaps it was good old uncle sarcasm in the forum with the spatha!

 

There are literally hundreds of theories about why Rome fell. The history of Britain has more to teach us, especially since there are good economic statistics for them which we don't have for Rome.

A goodie from Wikipedia: "Some economists like Peter Temin consider the Roman Empire a market economy, similar in its degree of capitalistic practices to 17th century Netherlands and 18th century England.[85]"

 

In the final analysis all empires crumble from one thing: POVERTY.... When the empire can no longer deliver the goods its finished. Rome/Soviet Union/British Empire/French Empire/Spanish Empire.....USA? Traci