A
lot has been said about America following in the footsteps of Rome in the last
years. Indeed, it is difficult to avoid drawing such parallels. History tends
to repeat itself over time, in which case America might not be an exception.
However, while people with a realistic approach believe America is a lost cause,
others will say it is early to jump to conclusions.
As
early as in the 70s Billy Graham said: “with the bureaucracy we built in
Washington we’re finished”. In his lifetime the Baptist minister got to meet
three presidents and he outlived the two of them. Being a side observer who has
yet been so close to the heart of the country, he should
know. But on a larger scale he is just a member of one of two camps. American public is basically divided in its predictions about the future of the country
into those who feel there is no future for America and those who still believe she
will overcome everything and land on her feet as before.
British
journalist Alistair Cooke, a British journalist with a soft spot for America who worked there for a long time said in 1973 in his America series for BBC, not without
grief, that he could see signs both of decay and revival, the matter being
which would prevail. In fact, we can see that what preceded the fall of Rome is
showing now: as Mr. Cooke described it, "extensive exercise of military power in
remote foreign regions”, reliance on handouts from the Big Usurer, the
Bank, in the form of loans, mortgages, governmental social aid programs and
free education; decay of morality, too much indulgence in entertainment, confusion
of talent with courage to break limits of decency, art with bizarre self-expression,
love with lust, faith with ritual.
On
the other hand, there have been feeble beams of light making their way through the
thicket of decadence. Family values have been planted, many states have been
successfully withstanding the liberalist attacks who try to pedal abortion and SSM
into society. And hey, Las Vegas now relies less on gambling money and is developing
other sources of income. And would that be an exaggeration to say: if Las Vegas
gets saved, the country is saved? I don’t think so. Besides, birthday suits in public have been legally banned in San Francisco, one of the most liberal cities.
It’s not too late to act, but it’s not too early either. Benjamin Franklin
realized it full well as he was witnessing the first American political crisis while
participating in the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 and watching the members
fighting over and arguing about the new Constitution under construction. In the
midst of all this he finally rose and delivered his famous
“Except the Lord build the house" speech, quoting the book of Psalms. And then,
after it was done, he looked at that painting on the wall above the heads of the
congressmen depicting the sun near the horizon, and thought with unease: Is it
rising or setting? And then his heart calmed at the realization: it was dawn.
What do you see now?...
Thank you for a such interesting article. I have found it very useful. The American Civilization: Dusk or dawn?: I have never thought about it. As it said: "Live and learn". Unfortunatly I know a little about America. It is diffucault to me to suppose is America dusk or down? So, as I understood from the article it is 'both of decay and revival' On the one hand 'as Mr. Cooke described it, "extensive exercise of military power in remote foreign regions”, reliance on handouts from the Big Usurer, the Bank, in the form of loans, mortgages, governmental social aid programs and free education; and on the other 'decay of morality, too much indulgence in entertainment, confusion of talent with courage to break limits of decency, art with bizarre self-expression, love with lust, faith with ritual.'' Also one good point:"Family values have been planted, many states have been successfully withstanding the liberalist attacks who try to pedal abortion and SSM into society." Every country has it own strength(smth that made her dusk) and weak (smth that made her go down) points. I think that it is normal for every country in the world. Benjamin Franklin`s in 1787 'heart calmed at the realization: it was dawn.' Who knows is America dusk or down or both? Maybe we just need to watch and then we can see it...
ReplyDeleteAs I can see the author of this article considers that there are lots of views on the further development of the United States nowadays. Some contend that America has a bright future, others realize that political and social matters are not going alright. American publicists recall the Roman Empire every time they remember the " unique - superpower " status of the United States. Just Rome had reached the same power, they argue. Romans owned all the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean - from Britain to Egypt. Today, U.S.A military bases are located in all major regions of the world. We can draw a parallel.
ReplyDeleteRome has created a civilization based on a particular set of values , where the main role was played by patriotism and duty of a citizen to serve for the Fatherland .But is The U.S.A following the democratic ideals of the past now? It’s hard to say. The author mentions Billy Graham's words from the 70s that the increased bureaucracy was a sign of the end for America.The essence of Graham's preaching was a return to the modified fundamentalism and militancy without anger. ".He believed in a bright future for America.
This position was also shared by Alistair Cooke, a British journalist, he saw the signs of decay and revival.It’s Impossible not to agree.
Nowadays, unfortunately along with the technical progress there goes a decay in the United States: failure to control the actions of sexual minorities, the unsolved problem of adoption,wars.
Nevertheless, positive aspects of the Americans are still deep: family values, search of a new income God does not make everything for people, all must be done by people’s hands. So, in my personal opinion, whether America will become a new Roman Empire or will fall it will all depend on the initiative of the people.
The U.S.A claims to be a " legal empire" while the legal system is not perfect. So will it be the Dusk or Dawn of American civilization , time will tell. Meanwhile, the USA need to follow the Roman standards more.
Why should it be dusk or dawn? What we can see, the military activity in doreign regions etc is just a sign of political style of America. I mean that it isn't dusk and it isn't dawn, it's just what it is. America is very military country and bullies other countries with its power. Nevertheless America has a great culture and most liberalistic laws. It's just as it is. I think that modern society reached its top point and not moving anywhere. It has just stopped. Nothing is going on. All possible dusks or dawns are long gone and now we have only stagnation.
ReplyDeleteBut some day America will fall because of all its crises and misunderstandings. It will be destroyed from the inside by its own people. Such end is awaiting all world's countries, it is the only way to move forward from stagnation, forward to new society.
Well, the topic that the author offers us to think about or discuss is quite interesting and actual nowadays. Telling the truth, it's actual not just for US, but for all Europe.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, there is a phrase that makes me confused. According to it we have well-known examples of states that "have been successfully withstanding the liberalist attacks". But there are no any examples of such states in this article. I tried to remember at least one of them and... with no results. One should note here that it's difficult to avoid liberal attacks because if you decide to give people rights, be sure, they'll ask more and more. Moreover, we have another point of view which belongs to Osvald Spengler. According to him and because of the fact that history tends to repeat itself, , there are two stages of nation's development: culture-the way to the top of hill and civilisation-the way down the hill. So it's important to decide, which one can we see nowadays in America?
I wish Atlant will straight his shoulders and we will see the eternal dawn of America.
It is quite interesting topic to discuss. First, from history we know many examples of rise and collapse of great Empires and civilizations. In addition, as author of this article state, history tends to repeat itself. I agree with this statement. I’m sure that one day it will happen to all countries, not only to America, as it happened to other civilizations. And history will repeat itself. But in America collapse will happen later then in Europe, because USA reached its prosperity only during the World War II, whereas many European countries reached it in XIX century. Of course, government policies and the evolution of society can slow down Dusk of civilization, but there can’t be endless Dawn.
ReplyDeleteAs it is said in the article “History tends to repeat itself”, so in my opinion, American civilization will always has some light and dark sides. Unfortunately, some difficult periods in history are usually longer than the bright ones.
ReplyDeleteNowadays America has problems such as overpopulation, migration, unemployment. Moreover, as I know, American government also has a lot of issues to discuss.
On the other hand, the USA is a great country because of globalization, industrialization and etc. Besides, this civilization has an enormous influence on the whole world: in fact, it created the biggest mass media in history. I believe, everyone knows some good examples of American culture or Hollywood at least. Indeed, American civilization became a great model of democratic country and, maybe, this is the reason why United States has such a high standard of life. So no matter what profession you choose, there you will have a huge spector of opportunities.
Finally, I would like to say that we can't say for sure what it is (Duck or Down). However, we can say, that it is never late to fix or rebuilt this civilization. It definitely depends on American society, which, during centuries, was proving that they can "make America great" again.
By the way, now America has new president – Donald Trump, who is going to do a lot of things for his country.
Actually, I am not interested in politics and I am not good at it but maybe he can help the USA to reach such an important Duck.
Time will tell.
Thanks for the interesting topic, I think that nowadays American culture is burning down its last years, because there are a lot of economical problems, and that's the root of all problems. But end of American culture is quiet beautiful, with all this event's for example in cinematics. New season of "Game of Thrones", last part of Avengers, all this projects are best now, but their time is running out. All in ALL American culture is unique, because of the story, but this unique culture will become story soon.
ReplyDeleteDusk or dawn? I think we can't decide that now. Let's look closer: world politicks scene now is established. Culture is evolveng strait with time's going. Maybe it is not the dusk or dawn, maybe it is the middle of the path for USA? New president is going to change a lot of things in the country, it can be bad or good, but it still can't do something with stability. We should wait about 10-20 years more to see huge changes and see : is it dusk or dawn....
ReplyDeleteWell,it’s not a secret that everything is static in this world. History seems to go forward but it’s just illusion: it all repeats as if in a circle. That’s what the author is talking about.
ReplyDeleteNowadays,the USA is actually the strongest country in the world,and it’s history was always interesting for me but I never knew a lot. So, I can’t say confidently is this dusk or dawn. The only thing I can say that there’s so much the US can be proud of:cinematography,music,technologies,democracy,education. Every country can experience it decline or peak. It’s just the natural time’s movement . But America is just the way it is. There always will be points to reach or fix. For me,it’s a dream country where you can release yourself in every industry.
This is America
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult for us, Russians, to talk about actions in America. We all hear the bad news about murders, racism and so on. But at the same time there is a stereotype that in America everything is better than ours. What is it? This is due to the duality of any culture, including the American one. It is an advanced country with developing technologies and wide liberal rights. But at the same time, America is still struggling with its legacy of racism, hatred of the LGBT community and so on. Indeed, the future of the country depends on what will win this fight.
Dusk or dawn? How we can talk about such things? Better to notice, that Rome ceased to exist as a state. So we have the right to talk about the fall and prosperity, because we can see the final result. While America - country called as New Modern World.
DeleteI think that America is a country everyone is talking about. If everybody talk about this, it is already good that there is a reaction. At the moment, someone condemns the policy of America, due to the latest political events taking place in this country. But there are other sides. For example, America makes successful steps in medicine and international students relation.
In conclusion, carpe diem. Instead of the country discussion, better make efforts and make something thing for your counry.