Can history repeat itself?

Question

The Ancient Roman Empire fell due to the following benefactors:
1. Corrupted Government.
2. Scattered Soldiers over the Empire.
3. Blindsited by Enemies: Complete Chaos
4. Overcome by selfishness and greed, the romans helped to destroy themselves.

Well, if all of this is happening in America, then is it possible that the downfall of a country is possible. Basically, the US is scattered in other countries. So is it any different?

Well, I do think it is possible. If you look at it this way, the fall of many nations/empires/etc have been based upon mainly 4 things:
1. Politics and government
2. weak economy/social relations
3. army strength/strategy(protection)
4. Enemy strength and #

In theory, history has repeated itself many tiimes, with altercations. It is not at all exact when a piece of time "repeats" itself.

Ok... Here is another thing. In The Dark Ages, Right after the Fall of Rome, in all technicalities, Over 1000 years of history hit the dirt and disappeared. The rest of the information was stored in many places where it may possibly remain, or it may now be in mueseums, either whole or partially. Too much of it will have been destroyed or deteriorated.

So, I am getting alot of really interesting opinions. This is good. Answers and opinions is the basis of every common theory. But rather than theory, it appears fact that history can repeat itself. Any one else care to give their veiws?

Answer 1

Haven't you noticed, it always does!! Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. With all the idiots in government it is a never ending cycle.

Answer 2

Can history repeat itself? The answer is that the principles needing to be mastered by practice and demonstration but which have not been practiced and demonstrated will indeed return again and again until it is learned and some measure of proficiency is mastered -- not all but a good measure to succeed at balance. The scenes do change but not the essential principles and lessons needing experienced and in this instance, needing understood with greater clarity.

This can be tricky to understand. Think about this: a candle that you could light tonight and which you keep burning till tomorrow, is not the same candlelight that it was the night before, yet it is... Do you see?

Likewise, a ride upon a merry-go-round gives the impression of the movement from somewhere to somewhere else, but in fact it is only movement, only an impression, for the scenery is repeating itself over and over again. There is not 'true' forward movement, only circular or lateral movement. You would not be moving on to the next level above but instead only to another scene upon the same level -- until you get it right !

With that in mind, yes, history does repeat itself but with different scenes and costumes but yet with the same principles (or actors) brought forward that have to be mastered. Once mastered, the actual costumes and players and scenes change drastically -- because that such will have afforded a higher level where one could look out and see the great distances with much greater clarity and projection about what is up ahead and what to look out for...

Answer 3

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

"Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim."

"Scepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer."

These are all quotes from the philosopher and novelist George Santayana (16 December 1863 - 26 September 1952).

The study of history, of all history, is always valid. Unfortunately, many Americans aren't taught history or any other social science unless it applies directly to the US. This parochial attitude and education is the root of this and many other problems.

Your's is an interesting question, particularly as it is concurrent with a question from journalist Leslie Stahl, in which she is asking people for their take on the most under-reported story of the year. If you check the results that she is getting, you will see this same extremely parochial attitude and the results of that attitude in about 90% of the responses that have been posted.

It's all tied together.

Answer 4

People generally dont learn from mistakes and learn nothing from history because they are more concerned with why they are right than why they are wrong. This is the lesson that is never learned from history. The US is in a state of downfall, it is continually exporting all its jobs to low paying third world countries. As companies are only thinking of their own survival, they fail to see that everyone else is doing the same thing. Eventually there will be so few people in the US with jobs, it will collapse. It will collapse suddenly because while one company is "restructuring" they are unaware of 100 other companies also doing the same thing at the same time. The money they have invested in third world countries will allow those countries to compete and beat them. Greed is the lesson that no one has yet learned. Memorize what year Columbus landed but learn something important? Go figure.
With an "I dont know I dont care" attitude, its hardly any wonder!

Answer 5

Of course it does. There are no "new" ideas, they just seem new because people in our generation or the last generation don't remember them. It only takes two generations for history to become lost. As far as America being the new Roman empire- we absolutely are. There are only two countries that put their hands over their hearts while singing the national anthem: The United States and the Romans. Something to think about.

Answer 6

Absolutely. History is a living breathing thing, and the life of anything is cyclical. History is not exempt. America has had a good run as far as democracy goes, as most democracies only last 100 years or so...but we are absolutely the New Roman Empire and if we don't change our ways, we will be subject to teh same fate.

Answer 7

I don't feel that there is any doubt that America is going to fall! Big business rules the country and they are all about greed and destruction of others! This entire Country is on the highway of greed! It isn't if it will fall, it's more like when! Will the end of days come first?

Answer 8

Parallels between the IUS and the Roman empire are nothing new. President Kennedy spoke about a "Pax Americana", an obvious reference to the "Pax Romana" of the Roman empire. (What that was, btw, was the "peace" that existed because Rome had conquered so much of the known world. It didn't last, obviously!)

There are more differences between ancient Rome and the US than there are similarities, though.

Answer 9

We could fall just like the Romans. But one of their problems was that the country was too large, and news and laws couldnt travel as fast. We have planes, trains, and cars. This also helps to spread ideas, making the U.S. more united. Plus, our different major regions are equally powerful in government, and also in wealth.

Answer 10

History is always repeating itself. It says in the bible: there is nothing new under the sun.

Democrats (socialists) will be the ruin of America. They bear a greater resemblance to the bumblefux or ancient Rome than any other political party in the U.S.A.