Is Every Civilization Doomed to Fail? - Gregory Aldrete

Summary

In this episode of After Skool, Professor Greg Aldrete explores the ancient Greek historian Polybius' theories on the rise and fall of civilizations. Polybius, captivated by Rome's rapid conquest of the Greek world, developed the concept of 'anacyclosis,' a cyclical progression of government forms from kingship to democracy and back. He believed the Roman Republic succeeded due to its mixed constitution, blending monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. While this structure helped Rome thrive, Aldrete highlights how the Republic eventually collapsed, raising timeless questions about the fragility and fate of civilizations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Polybius, an ancient Greek historian, explored why civilizations rise and fall, focusing on the success of the Roman Republic.
• 😀 Polybius' central question was why Rome succeeded in conquering the Hellenistic world, which had previously seemed invincible.
• 😀 Polybius was a hostage in Rome for 16 years, which gave him unique insight into both Greek and Roman perspectives on power.
• 😀 Polybius proposed the theory of anacyclosis, a cyclical progression of government, where each form of government naturally degenerates into its negative counterpart.
• 😀 The seven stages of government in anacyclosis are: anarchy → kingship → tyranny → aristocracy → oligarchy → democracy → mob rule.
• 😀 The Roman Republic, according to Polybius, was able to avoid the degenerative cycle by blending elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy into a balanced system.
• 😀 Polybius believed that the Roman Republic's mixed constitution, with power distributed across different branches, helped prevent its collapse.
• 😀 Despite its early success, the Roman Republic eventually succumbed to internal corruption, leading to the rise of demagogues and ultimately the establishment of the Roman Empire.
• 😀 The collapse of the Roman Republic, as it moved toward autocracy, mirrored the cycles described by Polybius, as the government evolved from democracy to mob rule.
• 😀 Polybius' ideas on governance influenced later thinkers, including Thomas Aquinas, Niccolò Machiavelli, and the American Founding Fathers, who used his analysis when drafting the U.S. Constitution.
• 😀 While Rome's mixed constitution initially delayed its collapse, the eventual rise of autocracy suggests that even the most carefully designed systems may fall prey to the cyclical nature of political decline.

Q & A

What is the relationship between Ran Susumaki and her clan?

Ran Susumaki's relationship with her clan is strained. She was rejected and despised by them due to being a woman and having a cursed ritual binding her to cursed energy. She was abandoned by her family after her mother's death, and her father further humiliated her, even going as far as to kill the woman who cared for her.

How did Ran Susumaki learn to control her cursed energy?

Ran learned to control her cursed energy through the guidance and training of an elderly blind woman, Tomoyo, who was spiritually inclined. Despite her immense cursed energy, which caused physical harm to her fragile body, Ran trained hard to stabilize her power and strengthen her body to prevent self-destruction.

What role did Ran Susumaki take on at the age of 15?

At the age of 15, Ran became a lethal assassin for her clan, tasked with eliminating other sorcerers and forging cursed weapons. During this time, she also took on a disciple, Yuki, and had a close friendship with Rena Iwata from the Iwata clan.

What led to the breakdown of Ran's engagement with Naoya Zenin?

Ran's engagement with Naoya Zenin was broken off when he canceled their engagement, publicly humiliating her. This event worsened her already fragile relationship with her family, especially with her father, Noboru Susumaki, who expressed disdain for her and further insulted her.

How did Ran respond to the death of Tomoyo, the woman who cared for her?

Ran's response to Tomoyo's death was one of immense fury. After witnessing her father, Noboru Susumaki, kill Tomoyo, Ran attempted to assassinate her father but failed. This event marked a turning point in her life, and she disappeared from the clan for two years.

What actions did Ran take after disappearing from the Susumaki clan?

After Ran disappeared from the Susumaki clan, she joined an organization named Nosferatu, which was involved in the plundering of cursed objects and experimenting on humans. Despite her involvement in this dark work, Ran was reluctant to stay in the organization and longed for a normal life.

How did Ran Susumaki meet Yuji Itadori, and what role did she play in his life?

Ran met Yuji Itadori, a 10-year-old boy, on the streets of Sendai. She grew fond of him and eventually adopted him as a surrogate mother. Ran lived with the Itadori family and supported them financially through her work as a stockbroker, although her smoking habit created conflicts with Yuji.

What was the significance of Ran's return to the Susumaki clan?

Ran returned to the Susumaki clan at the age of 20 after receiving a letter summoning her back. The clan's leader, on his deathbed, named her as the new leader of the clan, making it her obligation to accept his final wish. Her return was marked by the complex dynamics of clan politics and expectations.

What happened to Yuji Itadori after Ran's return to the Susumaki clan?

After Ran returned to the Susumaki clan, she discovered that Yuji Itadori had mysteriously disappeared. She later learned that Yuji's grandfather had passed away, and that Yuji was facing execution due to being the vessel for Sukuna. It was revealed that Yuji was, in fact, Ran's son.

How did Rena Iwata play a role in Yuji's fate?

Rena Iwata, a long-time friend of Ran's, informed her about Yuji's situation. She revealed that Yuji was going to be executed because of the cursed spirit Sukuna residing within him. Rena also revealed that Yuji was her son, making the situation even more complex for Ran.