The second wave empires hold a huge lesson for the present era, which could be completely relevant today and from whom we can really learn from if we pay attention. One of the first things that made me think about where we are headed as Americans is the reference of the United State being the new Roman Empire. It is very possible the United States can stretch itself to thin and want to control the world, that we end up exactly like the Roman Empire; where we have completely isolated the haves and the have not’s to a point where we look to another country in order to live a better life.
The second thing that amazed me is how well we compare to Sparta and Athenian democracy. For example: “The council was composed of twenty-eight men over the age of sixty, derived from the wealthier and more influential segment of society, who served for life and provided political leadership for Sparta”. This passage reminds me so much of our own senate for hundreds of years here in the United States where you have to have the means in order to run for office. Most people that are living in the margins can not afford to stop working in order to run for office. The other passage was, “Athenian democracy, however, was different from modern democracy. It was direct, rather than representative, democracy, and it was distinctly limited. Women, slaves, and foreigners, together far more than half of the population, were wholly excluded from political participation.” This passage held true to the United States for many years. It’s only 50 years or so that conditions have changed for the better. We can't forget that our own house of "representatives" did not represent everyone in the United States nor their interests.
Reference: Ways of the World, Robert W. Strayer, Chapter 3
I too was impressed of how democracy evolved and spread into different political aspects throughout time. I agree with how specific countries, especially the U.S., becoming almost like the new or modern age Roman Empire.
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