America, the fragile empire
Opinion • February 2010 • Views: 542
Here today, gone tomorrow — could the United States fall that fast?
For centuries, historians, political theorists, anthropologists and the public have tended to think about the political process in seasonal, cyclical terms.
From Polybius to Paul Kennedy, from ancient Rome to imperial Britain, we discern a rhythm to history.
Great powers, like great men, are born, rise, reign and then gradually wane.
No matter whether civilizations decline culturally, economically or ecologically, their downfalls are protracted.
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