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What is the deal between power and the temptation of power trips? 

Why do some individuals resort to absolutes rather than seeking intelligence and wisdom? 

And why do we continue to repeat history? 

For instance, let’s examine the fall of the Roman Empire. 

What were the key factors that contributed to its collapse?

The empire experienced a critical loss of treasury due to diminished revenue, an inflated money supply, the devaluation of the denarius, and a decline in public trust. 

This loss created a domino effect that destabilized society.* Trade networks collapsed, leading to a widening wealth gap and economic hardship. 

Additionally, government corruption resulted in widespread social unrest, while overexpansion made the empire too vast to manage, ultimately leading to its total collapse.

Another example is the economic factors contributing to the downfall of various Chinese dynasties. 

During the Warring States period, states often fell due to financial pressures from warfare, which caused instability and rebellions. 

Similarly, the Han, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties faced economic instability rooted in currency devaluation, the economic burden of frequent wars, over-taxation of peasants, and land inequalities that fueled rebellion and corruption.

What common patterns lead to the total collapse and downfall of empires and dynasties? 

At each critical moment, leaders failed to take corrective actions, continuing to implement poor economic policies and warring practices that remained unchanged, even as these wars drained their treasuries.

So, what is it about power and power trips, combined with fear, that causes such blind spots and mistakes during significant economic and societal decline and then collapse, without any course correction?

Why do leaders fail to rise to meet the moment with bravery and intelligence, ultimately causing the fall of the total economic and societal collapse?

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Could it be that societal norms in those empires and dynasties were driven by fear and fear-induced power trips?

What is your opinion on what ultimately causes the fall of governments and societies?

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Note, you can pick any point in civilized time, and history will bear out similar collapsing results and outcomes for rulers and ruling parties that are directly responsible for failing and losing the economy.

*Google AI search on loss of treasury and fall of the Roman Empire.