My theory is that "nation" is so much synechdoche. That is, a symbol referring to the reality of a snapshot of a population. The population sloshes about, a se

My theory is that "nation" is so much synechdoche. That is, a symbol referring to the reality of a snapshot of a population. The population sloshes about, a sea of people called a nation, but there is a continuous ebb and flow of greatness and depravity. Continuity is the issue. A David begets a Solomon, and zenith takes a turn for nadir in Rehoboam. Why? The struggle that made the David great is unknown to the Rehoboam. Decadence and collapse follow. Wash, rinse, repeat.