Everything inside me. History History's are generally written by academics. They, quite naturally, tend to focus on the main events, that is, the wars and the struggles between leaders and their opponents, both external and internal. Whilst these are interesting stories to read, academics, by their very nature, often overlook the underlying causes for an empire's decline. Today, as in any era, most people are primarily interested in the news, the daily information regarding the world's political leaders, and their struggles with one another, to obtain, retain, and expand their power. When the history is written about the era we are passing through, it will reflect, and large measure, a rehash of the news. As the media of the day, tend to overlook the fact, that present events are merely symptoms of an overall decline, so historians tend to focus on major events, rather than the slow operations that have been the underlying causes. When, as a boy, I was educated about the decline and fall of the Persian Empire. I learned of the final takeover by Alexander the Great, but was never told that, in its decline, Persian taxes became heavier and more oppressive, leading to economic depression and revolts, which, in turn, led to even heavier taxes and increased repression. Increasingly, King's Horde gold and silver, keeping it out of circulation from the community. This hamstring the market, as monetary circulation was insufficient to conduct business. By the time Alexander came along, Persia, weakened by warfare and internal economics drive, was a shell of an empire, and was relatively easy to defeat. Before I continue the video, please give a like if you've learned something. And don't forget to subscribe, and also click the notification bell too, so you won't miss any update. And, watch to the end to avoid misunderstanding. Thank you. Back then, I also learned that the Tang Dynasty ended as a result of the increased power amongst the Unix, battles with fans and separatists, and finally, Peasant's Revolts. True enough, but I was not taught that the Dynasty's expansion-based warfare demanded increases in taxation, which led to the Revolts. Continued warfare and associated increasing monetary and land extortion by the Unix, resulting in an abrupt increase in food output, and further taxes. Finally, as economic deterioration and oppression of the citizenry worsened, citizens left the area entirely for more promise elsewhere. Is there a pattern here? Let's have a more detailed look at another empire. In 1556, Philip II of Spain inherited what was regarded as Europe's most wealthy nation, with no apparent economic problems. Yet, I 1598, Spain was bankrupt. How was this possible? Spain was doing well, but sought to become a major power. To achieve this, Philip needed more tax dollars. Beginning in 1561, the existing Servicio Tax was regularized, and the Crusade Tax, the Ex-Kisato Tax, and the Malone Tax were all added by 1590. Over a period of 39 years, between 1559 and 1598, taxes increased by 430%. Although the elite of the day were exempt from taxation, the average citizen was taxed to the point that both business expansion and public purchasing diminished dramatically. Wages did not keep pace with the resultant inflation. The price of goods rose 400%, causing a price revolution and a tax revolution. Although Spain enjoyed a flood of gold and silver from the Americas at this time, the increased wealth went straight into Philip's war efforts. However, the 100,000 troops were soon failing to return sufficient spoils to Philip, to pay for their forays abroad. In a final effort to float the doomed empire, Philip issued government bonds, which provided immediate cash, but created tremendous debt, that, presumably, would need to be repaid one day. The debt grid 8.8 times GDP. Spain declared bankruptcy. Trade slipped to other countries. The military, fighting on three fronts, went unpaid, and military aspirations collapsed. It is important to note that, even as the empire was collapsing, Philip did not suspend warfare. He did not back off on taxation. Like leaders before and since, he instead stubbornly increased his autocracy as the empire slid into collapse. Again, the events above are not taught to school children as being of key importance in the decline of empires, even though they are remarkably consistent with the decline of other empires and what we are seeing today. The very same events occur, falling like dominoes, more or less an order, in any empire, in any age. 1. The reach of government leaders habitually exceeds their grasp. 2. Dramatic expansion, generally through warfare, is undertaken without a clear plan as to how that expansion is to be financed. 3. The population is overtaxed, as the bills for expansion become due, without consideration as to whether the population can afford increased taxation. 4. Heavy taxation causes investment by the private sector to diminish and the economy begins to decline. 5. Costs of goods rise, without wages keeping pace. 6. Tax revenue declines as the economy declines, due to excessive taxation. Taxes are increased again, in order to top up government revenues. 7. In spite of all the above, government leaders personally hoard as much as they can, further limiting the circulation of wealth in the business community. 8. Governments issue bonds and otherwise borrow to continue expansion, with no plan as to repayment. 9. Dramatic authoritarian control is instituted to assure that the public continues to comply with demands, even if those demands cannot be met by the public. 10. Economic and social collapse occurs, often marked by unrest and riots, the collapse of the economy, and the exit of those who are productive. 11. In this final period, the empire turns on itself, treating its people as the enemy. The above review, suggests that if our schoolbooks stress the underlying causes of empire collapse, rather than the names of famous generals and the dates of famous battles, we might be better educated, and be less likely to repeat the same mistakes. Unfortunately, this is unlikely. Chances are, future leaders will be just as uninterested in learning from history as past leaders. They will create empires, then destroy them. Even the most informative histories of empire decline, such as the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon, will not be of interest to the leaders of empires. They will believe, that they are above history, and, that they, uniquely, will succeed. If there is any value in learning from the above, it is the understanding, that leaders will not be dissuaded from their aspirations. They will continue to charge ahead, both literally and figuratively, regardless of objections and revolts from the citizenry. Once an empire has reached the stage 8, it never reverses. It is a dead empire walking, and only waits the painful playing out of the final three stages. At that point, it is full hearty in the extreme to remain, and waited out, in the hope, that the decline will somehow reverse. At that point, the wiser choice might be, to follow the queue of the Chinese, the Romans, and others, who instead chose to quietly exit for greener pastures elsewhere. Note, the US government is overextending itself by interfering in every corner of the world. It's all financed by massive amounts of money printing. However, the next financial crisis could end the whole charade soon. Comment below with more topic ideas for me to discuss. 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