Polybius, Book 6: [
with my commentary in brackets]
"When a commonwealth [
e.g. the United States], after warding off many great dangers [
e.g. Nazism, communism], has arrived at a high pitch of prosperity and undisputed power [
e.g. post-Cold War unipolar world], it is evident that, by the lengthened continuance of great wealth within it, the manner of life of its citizens will become more extravagant [
e.g. today's infatuation with celebrity?]; and that the rivalry for office, and in other spheres of activity, will become fiercer than it ought to be [
January 6th?]. And as this state of things goes on more and more, the desire of office and the shame of losing reputation, as well as the ostentation and extravagance of living, will prove the beginning of a deterioration. And of this change the people will be credited with being the authors, when they become convinced that they are being cheated by some from avarice [
"eat the rich"?], and are puffed up with flattery by others from love of office. For when that comes about, in their passionate resentment and acting under the dictates of anger, they will refuse to obey any longer, or to be content with having equal powers with their leaders, but will demand to have all or far the greatest themselves. And when that comes to pass the constitution will receive a new name, which sounds better than any other in the world, liberty or democracy; but, in fact, it will become that worst of all governments, mob-rule."
Okay, back to your originally-scheduled programming...
