"Those trying to create a worldwide totalitarian government might find that, should they do so, they will end up with an empire that will itself decay."
Excellent essay. All empires fall. But it seems that the threat of a world government and global empire is unique. That was never really possible before, but technology seems to make it a real threat today. A world government could do something no previous empire could do. Before it fell, it could destroy the world.
Or many would/could die in childbirth taking this world with it. Also that Galatic Empires have exisited previously is more than a possibility. All we do on Earth is dramatize the past, here and there.
"the band played on" as The Games" continue 0 to 8 and the stars beckon again??? or not.
Very interesting material, David. I certainly see a lot of designations listed in his work, "The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival," that are applicable to the trajectory of our country and other western countries. It is so interesting to learn about a new perspective on this approximately 250-year span of time we are in the midst of living through. Two other interesting resources that analyze this process are:
The Fourth Turning Is Here - What the Seasons of History Tell Us about How and When This Crisis Will End:
I’ve read a little about the fourth turning, a lot of it makes sense. The 80 plus years between major wars I’ve thought might have to do with those who remember the previous war being essentially gone. Succeeding generations differ also as they describe. Haven’t heard about the pendulum theory. Then there’s “hard times make strong men, strong men make good times, good times make weak men….
Excellent article! You are right, we sure are living in the age of decadence. At the top of the list of what decadence is marked by, I would put "sexual immorality", especially it being not only tolerated but celebrated.
I "enjoyed" your post as an Armchair/BA historian myself. (Most of my college was frivoulous decadence 1966-72)
After 50+ years of Decadence it does appear We are approaching the end of that chapter, for better or worse. 2024 imo closes it out and a new chapter begins ....
CYA, conduct yourselves accordingly. Si vis pacem, para bellum, All the best.
I took special notice of "the weakening of religion" as a sign of the times. Curious I am to try and understand why in this very essay mention of Biblical prophecy does not seem to play a significant role in this dilemma. I realize true religion has always been a target by greedy, selfish and evil men who wish to get away with their deeds, but from the beginning of the Bible we learn Who created this world, how He entered it to redeem the lost, how He is saving by grace those who trust Him today, how He will make war on a world empire of evil men after this grace period has ended, and how He will finish off destroying this corrupt and cursed earth and recreate a new heaven and a new earth for all who believe and are made righteous by the work of the cross. Love conquers all.
Shite Islam teaches much the same scenario, except Hate conquers all.
Reconciling the Old Testament to the New Testament God via Jesus is quite a Leap , or Mohammed's Allah and (new Testament) Koran. All a qmatter of Faith & Credulity.
I guess that's why "Free Will" is the Underlying Law of Christian Salvation as opposed to the Islamic?
Immortality=Infinity and "Who" could Endure Endless Life??? Doing What???
I don't accept that it is simply a matter of faith and credulity. My faith in the Scriptures does not validate it. God exists outside his creation. The AV1611 King James cannot be compared to any other writings because no one other than the LORD Jesus Christ (who gave us both old and new testaments) died for all and was raised from the dead. He is unique among men, being both God and man without sin, who alone can give eternal and immortal life.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Rom 8:18
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor 2:9
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God...
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1 Cor 1:18, 25
"Those trying to create a worldwide totalitarian government might find that, should they do so, they will end up with an empire that will itself decay."
Excellent essay. All empires fall. But it seems that the threat of a world government and global empire is unique. That was never really possible before, but technology seems to make it a real threat today. A world government could do something no previous empire could do. Before it fell, it could destroy the world.
Roger that.
Of course, if a totalitarian world government falls apart after 250 years, that’s still pretty bad.
Or many would/could die in childbirth taking this world with it. Also that Galatic Empires have exisited previously is more than a possibility. All we do on Earth is dramatize the past, here and there.
"the band played on" as The Games" continue 0 to 8 and the stars beckon again??? or not.
Very interesting material, David. I certainly see a lot of designations listed in his work, "The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival," that are applicable to the trajectory of our country and other western countries. It is so interesting to learn about a new perspective on this approximately 250-year span of time we are in the midst of living through. Two other interesting resources that analyze this process are:
The Fourth Turning Is Here - What the Seasons of History Tell Us about How and When This Crisis Will End:
https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Turning-Here-Seasons-History-ebook/dp/B0BHTNV8HN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GL71UULADCKQ&keywords=the+fourth+turning+is+here%22+by+neal+howe&qid=1704503740&s=digital-text&sprefix=The+Fourth+Turnoi%2Cdigital-text%2C572&sr=1-1
and
Pendulum - How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future :
https://www.amazon.com/Pendulum-Generations-Present-Predict-Future/dp/1593157061
As always, thank you for providing such excellent material to think about.
I thought that not as many people have heard of Glubb and his writings, so this might get them out there.
I think you are probably right. I had never heard of him before your post, so I'm glad to have a new subject to explore...
I’ve read a little about the fourth turning, a lot of it makes sense. The 80 plus years between major wars I’ve thought might have to do with those who remember the previous war being essentially gone. Succeeding generations differ also as they describe. Haven’t heard about the pendulum theory. Then there’s “hard times make strong men, strong men make good times, good times make weak men….
Excellent article! You are right, we sure are living in the age of decadence. At the top of the list of what decadence is marked by, I would put "sexual immorality", especially it being not only tolerated but celebrated.
I "enjoyed" your post as an Armchair/BA historian myself. (Most of my college was frivoulous decadence 1966-72)
After 50+ years of Decadence it does appear We are approaching the end of that chapter, for better or worse. 2024 imo closes it out and a new chapter begins ....
CYA, conduct yourselves accordingly. Si vis pacem, para bellum, All the best.
I took special notice of "the weakening of religion" as a sign of the times. Curious I am to try and understand why in this very essay mention of Biblical prophecy does not seem to play a significant role in this dilemma. I realize true religion has always been a target by greedy, selfish and evil men who wish to get away with their deeds, but from the beginning of the Bible we learn Who created this world, how He entered it to redeem the lost, how He is saving by grace those who trust Him today, how He will make war on a world empire of evil men after this grace period has ended, and how He will finish off destroying this corrupt and cursed earth and recreate a new heaven and a new earth for all who believe and are made righteous by the work of the cross. Love conquers all.
Shite Islam teaches much the same scenario, except Hate conquers all.
Reconciling the Old Testament to the New Testament God via Jesus is quite a Leap , or Mohammed's Allah and (new Testament) Koran. All a qmatter of Faith & Credulity.
I guess that's why "Free Will" is the Underlying Law of Christian Salvation as opposed to the Islamic?
Immortality=Infinity and "Who" could Endure Endless Life??? Doing What???
I don't accept that it is simply a matter of faith and credulity. My faith in the Scriptures does not validate it. God exists outside his creation. The AV1611 King James cannot be compared to any other writings because no one other than the LORD Jesus Christ (who gave us both old and new testaments) died for all and was raised from the dead. He is unique among men, being both God and man without sin, who alone can give eternal and immortal life.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Rom 8:18
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor 2:9
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God...
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1 Cor 1:18, 25