Some quotes from “Mortal Republic” by Edward J Watts in this thread.
“No republic is eternal. It lives only as long as its citizens want it. ”
1/n
“No republic is eternal. It lives only as long as its citizens want it. ”
1/n
“When freedom leads to disorder and autocracy promises a functional and responsive government, even citizens of an established republic can become willing to set aside long-standing, principled objections to the rule of one man and embrace its practical benefits.”
2/n
2/n
“Rome shows that the basic, most important function of a republic is to create a political space that is governed by laws, fosters compromise, shares governing responsibility among a group of representatives, and rewards good stewardship”
3/n
3/n
The Roman Republic “served to keep the process of political negotiation going until a mutually agreeable compromise was found. This…worked only because most Roman politicians accepted the laws and norms of the Republic. ”
4/n
4/n
“the last century of the Roman Republic reveals the tremendous dangers that result when political leaders cynically misuse these consensus-building mechanisms to obstruct a republic’s functions.”
5/n
5/n
“Within a generation…politicians had begun to arm their supporters. Within two generations, Rome fell into civil war. And, two generations later, Augustus ruled as Roman emperor.”
6/n
6/n
“the Roman Republic teaches the citizens of its modern descendants the incredible dangers that come along with condoning political obstruction and courting political violence. ”
7/n
7/n
“when citizens look away as their leaders engage in these corrosive behaviors, their republic is in mortal danger. Unpunished political dysfunction prevents consensus and encourages violence…This is how a republic dies.”
8/8
8/8
