Addresses what the author terms "the Roman dilemma" - the paradoxical notion that while global society depends on a system of rules for building peace and prosperity, this system inevitably leads to domestic clashes, international rivalry, and even wars. This book argues that a rule-based world order eventually subverts and destroys itself.

"If only we did teach and learn from history, Harold James's outstanding . . . book would be at the center of our current political campaign, because we are faced with the Roman Predicament of which he writes."

Autorentext

Harold James

Klappentext

"In a glut of books about American empire, Harold James's stands out for its subtlety and erudition. Few other scholars could so elegantly and persuasively relate Edward Gibbon's account of the decline of Rome to the present predicament of the United States."--Niall Ferguson, Harvard University, author of Empire and Colossus

"In today's public debate, historical analogies usually come cheap. In Harold James's hands, historical parallels and themes are marshalled with wisdom and insight--judiciously connected without being overdrawn--and ultimately provide enlightenment. The Roman Predicament gives us the real lessons for today from the Roman and British empires while deflating the delusions of the neo-imperialists and their left-wing counterparts. Power, law, and wealth work in tandem to thrive, and James shows us how."--Adam Posen, Senior Fellow, Institute for International Economics

"In a glut of books about American empire, Harold James's stands out for its subtlety and erudition. Few other scholars could so elegantly and persuasively relate Edward Gibbon's account of the decline of Rome to the present predicament of the United States."--Niall Ferguson, Harvard University, author of Empire and Colossus

Inhalt
Acknowledgments vii Introduction 1 Chapter One: The Model of Decline and Fall 6 Chapter Two: Mercury and Mars 24 Chapter Three: The Questioning of Rules in an Obscure and Irregular System 39 Chapter Four: Can It Last? 71 Chapter Five: The Victory of Mars 86 Chapter Six: Terminus: Beyond the Fringe 99 Chapter Seven: The Holy Roman Empire and the Roman Empire 118 Conclusion 141 Notes 151 Index 163