Part 11/13:
Yet, a hopeful note is struck—empires have historically rebounded or transformed after collapse. The suggestion is that these cycles of decay may be necessary to reset societal and cultural structures, leading to new growth.
The Danger of Totalitarianism and the Overreach of State Power
A final warning concerns government overreach, especially under the guise of emergencies like COVID-19 or national security. The precedent set during the pandemic—restricting freedoms, enforcing lockdowns, and sidelining constitutional rights—is viewed as dangerous. The concern is that the government, once given power in crises, may be reluctant to relinquish it—a process reminiscent of post-9/11 surveillance and control measures.