A day that has lived in infamy for over 2000 years, the ides of March, anniversary of Caesar's assassination, catalyzing the formation of the Roman Empire. This story is often told with Brutus and the conspirators cast as the tragic heroes, betraying their friend to save their Republic. This is neither wholly true nor wholly false. It is also true that Caesar was very popular, both among his troops and the Roman people. His assassination, far from securing the Republic, ushered in civil war and ultimately empire.
This week we explore the rise and collapse of empires and institutions. A pertinent topic since we may be living through just such a collapse.
As always, happy Wednesday and happy reading.
This Day in History
44 BCE - In one of the most famous assassinations in history, Julius Caesar is murdered, stabbed to death by a group of conspirators outside the Senate House in Rome. The murderers included his good friend and proteges, Brutus. Caesar's assassination, immortalized by Shakespeare's line, "e tu, Brute?" stands as an historical lesson for those willing to analyze it. Our shared story is greater than any one person, whether assassin or emperor. Those who most vigorously purport to be saviors are the most likely to lead us to ruin.
Collapse
Since the end of WWII the global order has been maintained by American might. While there were competing spheres of influence during the Cold War, the western economic and political model ultimately proved superior to its Soviet counterpart, and while the post war decades have been far from peaceful they have also been far less deadly than the preceding decades of global war.
But that is changing. The pillars of the global order - America, and to a lesser extent Britain - are both weakening (from NYTimes Magazine). Brexit proves Britain has neither the means nor the will to play its role in upholding global institutions, and Trump's rampage through America has only begun. As the Western order collapses, what will replace it? A more centralized, authoritarian governing style, modeled off China or perhaps Russia? More importantly, what will America's role in a post-American world look like?
A Time Like This - Lessons from Hannah Arendt
It is said that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. The flip side of that coin is that those who do know history are doomed to watch others repeat it. Which is why more people should read Hannah Arendt (from the Washington Post). I have written about Arendt before; she is a brilliant political historian and philosopher, and her accounts of WWII totalitarianism resonate scarily as one examines today's geopolitical climate.
Arendt's accounts, or rather the fact that too few know of them and see the similarities between a dark past and a dark present, represent a fundamental failing of the most important democratic institutions: schools. With an informed populace democracy is a failing proposition. There is ample historical evidence of this, will America become another example? For our democracy to be successful, we must be civically literate, and repairing our democracy will require a massive effort to increase our civic capacity for discussion and engagement.
Words of the Demagogue
The stability of the global order is based first and foremost on trust in the constancy of American leadership. Even and despite our differences at home, the world socio-economic system is founded in the stability and consistency of American leadership.
Trump presents a unique threat not just to our domestic stability, but to the consistency of American global leadership (from the Financial Times). Of course the conditions that facilitated Trump's success have been festering for decades, and cannot be blamed on him, but the wrong person at the wrong time can do enormous damage to an unstable political system.
Ameristan!
What might America look like if our democratic institutions fail us? What government would emerge? Would America become a -stan (from the NYTimes)? Is America already a -stan? The scary thing is, we don't know when and if we've passed the point of no return. Is it too late for us to reverse the course we're on? Will historians look back and pinpoint a certain moment as the one when we crossed the threshold? Are we so far down the road to Ameristan that our fate is sealed? I don't believe so, but as Hannah Arendt shows us, there are scary parallels.
Who Let the Dogs Out!?
Whoa! That's a lot of friends. And a lot of emotions. Sleepy, curious, confused...? Whatever they're feeling, these three are close pals, as indicated by their napping positions. Hailing from Texas where they live with their human Natalie, Emma, Jelly, and Aspen (from left to right) are as close to the three amigos as it gets. They are inseparable, even napping together in a heap. Friendships like these are what we should all strive for! Big thanks to Natalie for sharing her wonderful friends!
Will's Weekly Trivia - Spread the Word!
My goal in 2017 is to increase readers by 100. If you know someone who you believe might enjoy the digest, the dogs, or the trivia, please be sure to share Willful Intent's new opt-in form! And don't forget to submit any thoughts and dog pics via the feedback form!
IF you choose to answer the question, respond to staton.will@gmail.com with your answer. Please note that by competing you are giving me permission to publish your first name in the trivia leader board each week.
Last Week:
1. The Julian and Gregorian calendars are both named for men who held which office/position? ONE POINT
2. What is an alternative spelling for czar? ONE POINT
3. Two major WWII battles were fought in cities named for Russian leaders. What are the names of these cities/leaders? ONE POINT APIECE
Answers:
1. I made a mistake on this question, believing that both calendars were named for popes, when in fact the Julian calendar was named for Julius Caesar. I accepted both pope and emperor as correct answers.
2. Tsar is an alternative spelling for czar.
3. Leningrad and Stalingrad were the two cities where desperate WWII battles were fought.
This Week:
1. What year did the Reichstag fire take place? ONE POINT
2. Along with Brutus, who is the other famous co-conspirator in Caesar's assassination? ONE POINT
3. Whose assassination sparked WWI? ONE POINT
LEADER BOARD Check out the Leader Board! Is your name on it!?
