> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of Richard Baker > Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 5:25 PM > To: Killer Bs (David Brin et al) Discussion > Subject: Re: Science and Ideals. > > Dan M said: > > > Historically, empires can last a long time. The eastern part of the > > Roman > > Empire, which was split by Constantine in the 300s, lasted roughly > > 1500 > > years, and was defeated by another empire. IIRC, the Chinese empire > > lasted > > about the same length until it was overtook by the Ghengas > > Kahn...who's rule > > ended up merging into that empire. > > It may be an aside, but both of those statements are misleading.
I stand corrected by your detailed knowledge of that history, Richard. I will accept that my quick recollection of history was all too facile, and I honestly appreciate your history lesson. I'm snipping it, because I do think it is an aside to the main thrust of my argument. But, if you find historical errors in what I am about to say, do not hesitate to shout out. Empires can last a long time. They do reformulate, different dynasties do exist. But, I think it is fair to say that regimes that do not place a great deal of value on individual human rights can last centuries, and when they are replaced it is often/usually not be a group that emphasized human rights. You also rightly said that these empires were not totalitarian. I agree, and never intended to imply that. Indeed, I used the example of restraints on the French King that did not apply to Napoleon because I had some awareness of that fact. Totalitarian governments are fairly modern. The tools needed for them probably didn't exist 300 years ago. My argument is that they have proven to be fairly resilient, falling only when faced with strong outside challenges. Indeed, the requirement for such challenges was planned as part of the final post I was going to write in the series I started a bit ago. In a sense, I've been building up to that point. But, that's for later. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
