Posted on May 5, 2015
How long do you see the United States lasting?
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Seriously, if you were to offer a calculated prediction, how long do you see the United States of America lasting? What are reasons behind your assessment? How can our nation change this outcome? How does the success and longevity of our nation compare to human history's other national dynasties and empires that lasted a long time? In our nation's history, what truly was the 'greatest generation' so far? How does ours compare if it is not the greatest? Just some questions to peak discussion.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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“The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.” -deTocqueville.
There are many other great minds who have passed which speak stronger arguments than any of us can today. They saw the demise of the democracy clearly. We are on our way. Machiavelli also warns that all democracies will fail when the people realize they can vote themselves benefits from the coffers, electing those who will provide the most to those who do the least. Then it will fail under its own weight, becoming an anarchy. Anarchy is overcome by tyranny, when the people, tired and beat down from being subjected to lawlessness and warlords, find a strong, powerful leader who is willing to restore order at any cost...despite the loss of freedom.
There are many other great minds who have passed which speak stronger arguments than any of us can today. They saw the demise of the democracy clearly. We are on our way. Machiavelli also warns that all democracies will fail when the people realize they can vote themselves benefits from the coffers, electing those who will provide the most to those who do the least. Then it will fail under its own weight, becoming an anarchy. Anarchy is overcome by tyranny, when the people, tired and beat down from being subjected to lawlessness and warlords, find a strong, powerful leader who is willing to restore order at any cost...despite the loss of freedom.
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Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP
Awesome post. And when you say, "We are on our way" I think, well past the tipping point and picking up speed...
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I'd say we have a few more decades or so.
This is a good question, and one very worth talking about. My background should lead me to be able to talk about this, my undergrads degrees were in PoliSci and History, my life experience is mostly in organized use of violence to change regimes. I've lived in a few states in different regions, and in a few provinces in chaos.
So.... without getting into detailed statistical analyses or well researched pieces I'll do some very brief and rough arguments from analogy (because I'm lazy.)
The Roman Republic lasted 482 years before becoming an Empire truly controlled by one man.
The British Constitutional republic has maybe kind of lasted 327 years since being mostly controlled by one man.
The French Republic existed as a real republic for around 223 years.
The United States has existed as a real republic for around 227 years.
Most likely (barring a major species level threat) the US Republic will change in nature subtly and only in retrospect will people identify when it ended, but its hard to put a finger on when it would occur.
This is a good question, and one very worth talking about. My background should lead me to be able to talk about this, my undergrads degrees were in PoliSci and History, my life experience is mostly in organized use of violence to change regimes. I've lived in a few states in different regions, and in a few provinces in chaos.
So.... without getting into detailed statistical analyses or well researched pieces I'll do some very brief and rough arguments from analogy (because I'm lazy.)
The Roman Republic lasted 482 years before becoming an Empire truly controlled by one man.
The British Constitutional republic has maybe kind of lasted 327 years since being mostly controlled by one man.
The French Republic existed as a real republic for around 223 years.
The United States has existed as a real republic for around 227 years.
Most likely (barring a major species level threat) the US Republic will change in nature subtly and only in retrospect will people identify when it ended, but its hard to put a finger on when it would occur.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
After Julius it was not a Republic. But thats pretty much OK because the Roman Republic was pretty much a corrupt organization. Claudius put up Nero because he thought that Nero was so repugnant the people would revolt and re-instate the Republic .. ah well .. better laid plans.
Egypt is pretty fascinating because to the written continuity.
China scores pretty high with the claim of 4 thousand years.
But in all cases there was a sever change in the way the governments were wired together and dynasty changes.
The United States is a pretty new way of wiring a government together so all the past track records don't exactly translate.
Egypt is pretty fascinating because to the written continuity.
China scores pretty high with the claim of 4 thousand years.
But in all cases there was a sever change in the way the governments were wired together and dynasty changes.
The United States is a pretty new way of wiring a government together so all the past track records don't exactly translate.
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Capt Richard I P.
Sgt Robert Albright Very true, we are a new thing in the world. Which is why I disclaimed my arguments from analogy as lazy. But not worthless. History may not repeat, but it rhymes.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Outstanding Capt. We are on pace with the Roman Empire. Given our actions since 1776, it seems we are following their playbook that resulting in their Fall.
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I both hope and believe past my lifetime. But, then I am 72.
How long? I think for a long time. Things can and do change and this country has always come forward when needed.
Still, I have doubts that I have never had before.
How long? I think for a long time. Things can and do change and this country has always come forward when needed.
Still, I have doubts that I have never had before.
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