Is the United States the Roman Empire of our day?

[CHIMO]

Is the United States the Roman Empire of our day? Like its predecessor 2000 years ago, the US has an unmatcheable military war machine and ambitions to redraw the maps of the world. Rome had a dream of a Pax Romana; the US refers to a Pax Americana where democracy will be installed around the world. But Rome eventually paid a price for its dream. What is the price of America's dream? Vox Humana investigates.


Vox Humana

http://www.rnw.nl/en/html/sunday.html


Thinking outside the North American Box. (Maybe also the New Europe)

Could not find a transcript of the program other than that above. The audio is 30 min in length.

[fearnobush]

1. According to the PNAC it is. The New Rome.

So soon, we shall decay. It's the end result of all empires. I love my country, but hate it's imperialism.

[Maple]

2. Well.....

it's a Rome wannabee, let's put it that way.

[liberalpragmatist]

3. Yes

Even the paradoxical insularity yet diversity of the Roman Empire is mimicked in the US. There's the exceptionalism that comes with it and the belief that we've never had it better and that our way of life is superior to all others.

Then, there's the decadence and the class disparity. There's the general prosperity but persistant poverty. There's discrimination.

And there's inefficiency and anti-democratic tendencies in our *democracy*. Now, I do think we have a democracy, but it's somewhat restricted. I'm a firm Democrat and would still probably be one even if there were multiple viable parties, but the two-party duopoly in this country is a stranglehold. Our institutions are often inefficient and our politics in a sorry state.

I would say easily that we're the New Rome. The goal of Progressives should be for us not to repeat the mistakes of Rome so that we can endure, at least if not the most powerful country forever, than as a lasting, prosperous, just and stable society.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Agreed. Excellent analysis, liberalpragmatist . . . nt

[Richard D]

5. And

Instead of lead pipes and dishes, we have the drug industry.

[CHIMO]

7. Ten More

Years before China overtakes USA. Some of the program is based on economics.(Probably the essence of the program)
Had the downfall of the US society thrown at me in a philosophy course a long time ago and the instant reaction was to say it was impossible. How could one even think that?
Wish I had the book now.(That was over 40 years ago)

[DieboldMustDie]

9. Outsourcing our industrial base to bolster corporate profits...

isn't exactly helping matters. :shrug:

[AndyTiedye]

6. We Have a pResident who Quotes Caligula

"Let them hate as long as they fear us."

[DieboldMustDie]

8. Rome thrived for several centuries after Caligula.

I doubt we'll be so fortunate. :scared:

[CanIgonow]

10. The biggest difference I would say is that we have killjoys who

frown on sex and other revelries that at least used to make the Roman ride to decline more enjoyable.

[thebigidea]

11. aye aye!

[dumpster_baby]

12. More like Germany's 3rd Reich: Corporatist-Fascist-Imperialist Regime

illegal aliens are our slave labor