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> under the Pax Romana Europe enjoyed an extremely well-developed civil society that brought self-evident benefits to the participants, just like our culture of
by jlgreco 14y ago
> under the Pax Romana Europe enjoyed an extremely well-developed civil society that brought self-evident benefits to the participants, just like our culture of appreciation for scientific progress, the arts, and political theories...a culture which is not nearly as universal as you seem to imagine.
What is your point? I am not claiming that the aspects of our society that we cherish are unique to our society, or were absent in Roman society.
"...a culture which is not nearly as universal as you seem to imagine."
We are talking essentially about the society of all developed and rapidly developing nations. This is not an American concept; even if this hypothetical mega-attack caused the American governmnet to go tits up it would survive, both domestically and throughout the world. Not even "starvation or hopelessness" would erase this modern identity. Not any starvation falling short of extinction-threatening.
Are particularly American perspectives in our modern society something that is, outside of the US, less than universal (to say the least)? Certainly. But 1) who cares? American perspectives are but few of many in modern society, 2) such perspectives are not endangered, and would not be endangered by any collapse of our particular current government.
- jlgreco 14y agoApparently I've said something offensive. I suppose optimism and confidence in the resiliency of modern society is not patriotic if it means I am not beating the drums of war loud enough. By all means, you can all carry on being afraid. Your fear, your lack of resolve, your lack of confidence in our way of life... that is the real threat. It is that which the (few existing) terrorists wish to stoke.
- anigbrowl 14y agoWell, I didn't downvote you (I can't downvote replies to my own comments). I don't think you're being offensive, just loud and naive. Hectoring people with 'Your fear, your lack of resolve, your lack of confidence in our way of life' is an emotional argument. You're accusing people who have a different opinion from you of having an inferior character without bothering to engage with the actual arguments we're presenting.