A reminder that we have much to learn from history.
The following is an excerpt from Christopher Kelly’s excellent short review of the Roman Empire in his book “The Roman Empire, A Very Short Introduction” (Oxford University Press 2006). This is one of a series of very short introductions published by OUP; excellent little books that are all wheat and no chaff covering topics from quantum theory to the ancient world and everything in between.
Regarding the Roman Republic, which died with the rise of Octavian (Augustus) who became the first emperor in 26 BCE, Kelly states:
“Yet in some ways, “Republic” is a misleading term. It risks implying…too great a degree of popular participation in politics. The Roman Republic was an unabashed plutocracy; the citizen body was carefully graded according to stringent property qualifications. In turn, this classification regulated voting rights: all adult male citizens were enfranchised, but a system of electoral colleges guaranteed that the rich, if united, would always be able to out-vote the poor. In addition, the heavy costs of electioneering and office-holding ensured that all who were most prominent in government were themselves personally wealthy.”
Sound familiar? All male citizens (slaves were not citizens in the Roman world) could vote but those with money and power (read: Citizens United) had, in effect, extra votes. The electoral college concept was as corrosive to a democratic republic then (based on wealth) as it is now (based on racism). Only the wealthy could effectively participate in politics and once in office their priority was to maintain that wealth.
So, a very short example from a very short introduction of how republics die. I am optimistic for our country but ever warier of the dangerous historical moment we are living in.
You all know how we avoid the fate of the Roman Republic: we vote, write columns for our local newspapers, speak out, canvass, and yes, send money to the right candidates. We participate.