Senatus Populusque Americanus

The title of the blog is of course a clear indication of my view of the current global order. SPQA is a slight alteration of SPQR. SPQR stands for Senatus Populusque Romanus or the Senate and people of Rome. There are many other translations for it but that is the most popular and the other translations are for the most part variations of it. In an age before the conception of nationhood and its symbols, SPQR was the very symbol of Rome and their nation for the Roman people. It was held as such through the republic until the end of the Empire.

I believe that the life of the Roman Republic and Empire is one of the primary historical examples for the United States and the world today. While I know many history illiterates among the left love the comparison since the only thing everyone knows about Rome is that she fell, I do not think it is the most relevant part of the comparison. At the least because Rome enjoyed some 600 years of dominance in the west and 1,600 years of existence in the east compared to only 230 years of existence and 100 years of dominance by the U.S. thus far. The reasons I dismiss the comparison, the few aspects of the fall of Rome I think are relevant, and the more apt comparison of Rome to the West as a whole will be discussed in future posts.

It should also be understood that the comparison of America to Rome does not claim unquestionable dominance on the part of America. Again, while many people consider Rome the very byword for total dominance, this is far from reality. Rome only existed in western and southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East. Even within this more limited sphere Rome was hardly dominate. There was a major power to the east of Rome which paid little heed to Roman demands, the Parthians (Persia). Even the lesser powers around the Empire were beyond Rome's permanent reach. The Germans, Dacians, Armenians, Mesopotamians, Hibernians, Picts, Nubians, and Arabs only had to pay proper respect to Rome while good emperors reigned. Otherwise, they were largely free of Roman interference. Even the attempt to secure the southern third of Scotland from the Picts lasted scarcely 20 years. Hardly the behavior of an Empire whose reach and power are without challenge.

In a sense then, the power and influenced wielded by America across the world is greater than that of Rome in their smaller setting. Even so, America's power is not unchallengeable nor can it go anywhere without consideration. Since America is the greatest power in the world and is at the center of the international system there is enough in common with Rome to use her as one of the two primary examples of America today. Since understanding world events for the most part requires understanding America's role, it makes understanding Rome important for the world.