The Fall of Rome

Rome dominated the Western world for roughly 500 years. The US isn’t Rome and is not destined to fall, but we can learn from history, and still save ourselves. Rome didn’t fall in a day.

It crumbled slowly from within:
• Political chaos - Leadership became more about power than public service
• Corruption
• Massive inequality
• Endless wars
• A divided people
• Loss of shared values
Inflation and debt

Decline in Civic Virtue and Unity
• Citizens grew disconnected from public life.
• Patriotism faded.
• Roman identity was diluted across vast cultures and regions.

Urban Decay and Infrastructure Collapse
• Roads, aqueducts, and buildings fell into disrepair.
• The once-great cities declined as people moved to the countryside.
• Law and order broke down in many regions.

?? Similarities Between the U.S. and Ancient Rome

1. Republican Roots
• Rome: Started as a republic with elected senators and consuls.
• U.S.: Founded as a constitutional republic with elected officials and a Senate.

Both valued law, checks and balances, and civic duty (at least in theory).

2. Global Superpower Status
• Rome: Dominated the Mediterranean world for centuries.
• U.S.: Has been the world’s leading military and economic power since WWII.

?? Both exercised enormous influence over other nations’ politics, economics, and culture.

3. Massive Military Footprint
• Rome: Maintained a vast, expensive military to defend its borders and suppress unrest.
• U.S.: Has over 750 military bases in 80+ countries, with high defense spending.

?? Military overreach and fatigue were major challenges

4. Inequality and Class Tension
• Rome: Huge wealth gap between elites and the poor. Slavery and debt crushed the working class.
• U.S.: Rising inequality, corporate consolidation, and growing dissatisfaction among working and middle classes.

5. Political Division and Dysfunction
• Rome: Civil wars, corrupt leaders, and power-hungry elites crippled the Republic.
• U.S.: Increasing polarization, gridlock, corrupt leaders (Democrats). The lawfare against Trump and the Russiagate scandal.

6. Cultural Decay vs. Cultural Shift
• Rome: Some historians point to moral decay, decadence, or loss of shared values.
• U.S.: Ongoing “culture wars” over national identity, values, and truth.

7. Immigration and Borders
• Rome: Struggled to manage influxes of migrants and incorporate new populations.
• U.S.: the Southern border crises

Rome didn’t fall to outsiders until it had already fallen apart inside.