America's 250th Birthday

Happy Birthday America! Democracy and individual liberties have survived for 250 years. Slavery was eliminated. The right to vote was extended to all Americans. America innovated the Industrial/Information Revolution and made the country the largest and most technologically-advanced economy in the world. In the 20^th century, America helped defeat totalitarian regimes. America was an inspiration to all people who wanted to fight tyranny and oppression. From 1607 onwards, America was a special country built by immigrants and their descendants.

 

The foundation of this remarkable democratic edifice is the Constitution. The basic rules and political institutions were set out. Having denounced King George of England in the Declaration of Independence, the founders were particularly sensitive to the threat of an imperial presidency. The powers of the president in Madison’s first draft were watered down in subsequent revisions. 

 

The founders, especially Madison, used the Roman Republic as their model. Polybius, the historian of the republic, was quoted and alluded to often during the Constitutional Convention debates. The delegates were aware of what happened to the Roman Republic, how it committed suicide and became the Roman Empire. A government of corrupt, brutal, psychopathic emperors.

 

If the American republican experiment fails, it will be because of the self-destructive actions of the American people and their elected officials. Bad government is the result of a combination of arrogance and ignorance (hubris to the Greeks). Nowhere is this clearer than in America’s foreign policy and the use of military violence. The men who led us into Vietnam admitted they relied on America’s superior firepower but were ignorant of the history of Vietnam. Ignorance of the history of Afghanistan and George W. Bush’s ignorance of Iraq led to unfortunate long-term consequences.

 

This is surprising since America’s founding was based on the American Revolution. The Americans revolted because of England’s king and government arrogance and ignorance of the realities of the changing American colonies.

 

England relied on the country’s overwhelming superiority in military might compared to America. But the mistake they made was that for rebelling Americans this was an existential war. Either Americans won or they would end up with much harsher rule from England. Eventually, George Washington and rebelling Americans knew that if they were able to continue to rebellion, England would eventually realize the cost of the war was too high and they were not going to subdue to obstinate Americans. England cut and run; despite losing America, England was still the dominant world power.

 

If most of us celebrate the Roman Republic, Donald Trump identifies with the Roman emperors. Someone like Trump was the founder’s worse fear. A demagogue attacking democratic institutions and enemies at home. Attacking allies abroad, as Rome alienated its Italian allies, who revolted against Rome. Disrupting America’s economy with erratic tariffs and trade policies. Policies made based on personal resentments and family enrichment.

 

There is a statue of George Washington in the Capitol Building wearing an ordinary Roman toga. I’m guessing Trump would like to see one of himself wearing the royal toga of Roman emperors. Trump seems obsessed with gold; like early emperors, he sees Washington as a city of gold and marble. Like Nero, he intends to build a large statue of himself. Like Caligula, he intends to rename government buildings (temples in Rome) in his honor, erect golden statues of himself, and enjoys mocking and humiliating his personal enemies. Celebrating America’s anniversary with cage fights at the White House? Maybe dressed as gladiators?

 

Like Roman emperors, Trump is putting his name on America’s money. He intends to erect a triumphal arch to himself. 

 

The Republicans in the Senate and House support abdicating their constitutional powers to the president. He names sycophants to government. But, to be fair, unlike Caligula, he has not yet named a horse to his cabinet.

 

A belief in personal power at home and military power backing intimidation abroad is nothing to celebrate. Trump is a danger to weakening America’s democracy. The historic question is whether this is a passing aberration or the beginning of the end of the American experiment in democratic rule and individual liberty at home and supporting democratic governments and political movements abroad.  

 

Trump’s senseless war with Iran became an existential war for the Iranian regime. No amount of bombing will destroy Iran or lead to the surrender of Iran’s ruling religious leaders and Revolutionary Guards. The end game is that the United States will not accomplish anything and that Iran will probably be stronger in the Persian Gulf. 

 

The war led to global economic disruption and inflation. The world blames America. Even in allied countries, disapproval of America skyrocketed. A recent poll of Europeans showed a higher percent disapproved of America than Russia. On top of earlier mockery and actions that alienate European allies, including constant praise of Putin and cutting off military aid for Ukraine. All this further reduces American influence and credibility.

 

Do Americans really want a new imperial America starting with the seizure of Greenland? Really? Go to war against our NATO allies? Or maybe it’s Iceland - Trump confuses the two.

 

Can America be a world power and remain a republic? For Rome, the answer was no. So far, for America, the answer has been yes. Unlike Rome, whether the republic will continue depends on the American people. 

 

For a detailed discussion of the reasons for the collapse of the Roman Republic and a few analogies with America, see

 

The Roman Republic Commits Suicide. A Cautionary Tale for America