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History
Jul 17, 2011 13:39:44 GMT -5
Post by el Gusano on Jul 17, 2011 13:39:44 GMT -5
While studying "The Story of Civilization" by Will Durant, I started looking at other reference material, and came across the following and thought it quite poignant considering our current nanny-state:
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with a result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; from dependency back into bondage.
- Alexander Fraser Tytler (1748-1813), Scottish lawyer, university professor, and judge, in his book "The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Democracy"
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History
Jul 17, 2011 13:41:46 GMT -5
Post by Warkitty on Jul 17, 2011 13:41:46 GMT -5
I am gathering my military might so I can take on the role of dictator. I promise to be a benevolent one.
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printemps
Full Forumite
And a bag of chips.
Posts: 1,545
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History
Jul 17, 2011 15:05:08 GMT -5
Post by printemps on Jul 17, 2011 15:05:08 GMT -5
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History
Jul 17, 2011 16:08:33 GMT -5
Post by ssmynkint on Jul 17, 2011 16:08:33 GMT -5
Oh NO! el Gusano suckered into using bogus/non-existent "facts"? Thats as unimaginable as...as...as...Russia not existing prior to the Viking intrusions. What's next? Unions are our friends? Or.... does he deliberately disseminate false information??? Oh, the humanity!!!!
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BlackFox
Senior Forumite
Stay thirsty my friends
Posts: 4,496
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History
Jul 17, 2011 17:33:23 GMT -5
Post by BlackFox on Jul 17, 2011 17:33:23 GMT -5
Well I guess it's a good thing we're a representative republic then.
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History
Jul 18, 2011 0:30:33 GMT -5
Post by el Gusano on Jul 18, 2011 0:30:33 GMT -5
Which in no way negates that Durant says the same thing.
And WK, Alexander the Great did it best: Be tough enough to kick anyone's butt, but benevolent enough that the people will welcome you.
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History
Jul 18, 2011 0:47:05 GMT -5
Post by el Gusano on Jul 18, 2011 0:47:05 GMT -5
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History
Jul 18, 2011 5:10:08 GMT -5
Post by ssmynkint on Jul 18, 2011 5:10:08 GMT -5
A people is not the same as a country, dimwit. You originally asked if two COUNTRIES had been allied. When refuted, you weaseled around talk about to PEOPLE. And because one now refers to art, artifacts and history by using the current name of the people/nation has no relevance to how the ancient people refereed to themselves. Instead of reading Durant, read a basic text on what history is and the philosophy thereof. But of course, there is no such thing at your alma pater, Beck University.
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History
Jul 18, 2011 10:19:27 GMT -5
Post by el Gusano on Jul 18, 2011 10:19:27 GMT -5
I knew that one of you two yahoos would attack Durant. Is he a hack? (That's the word I was expecting.)
And in our current world political system, the name of the place that those people reside is called "Russia", just as if I were talking about a group of people from an area in the TN, KY, VA area, I could call them "Americans". (Unless I were racist, at which point I would target a group called "African-American" and determine that they are incapable of fair competition and needed special set asides.)
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pompey
Senior Forumite
No Oppressive Titles Allowed
Posts: 2,589
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History
Jul 18, 2011 10:30:24 GMT -5
Post by pompey on Jul 18, 2011 10:30:24 GMT -5
No one attacked Durant, but you appear particularly defensive. Do you suspect that he is a hack or something?
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printemps
Full Forumite
And a bag of chips.
Posts: 1,545
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History
Jul 18, 2011 10:43:33 GMT -5
Post by printemps on Jul 18, 2011 10:43:33 GMT -5
Alexander Fraser Tytler (1748-1813), Scottish lawyer, university professor, and judge, in his book "The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Democracy" There is not even a record of Tytler ever authoring a book entitled The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Democracy. You attributed a false quote to a made-up book?
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History
Jul 18, 2011 22:33:16 GMT -5
Post by mikeydokey on Jul 18, 2011 22:33:16 GMT -5
by using the current name of the people/nation has no relevance to how the ancient people refereed to themselves. What did the ancient people referee? An Indian Stick-ball game? A naked Greco-Roman wresting match? Nevermind, I see now, they refereed to themselves. Curses! Henny Penny falls victim to spell check again.
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