How Inflation Destroyed the Roman Empire

Posted on by

There were many reasons the Roman Empire fell but, inflation and government spending were huge parts.  Government stimulus programs and public works became common then as they are today.  People today underestimate the complexity of the Roman Empire but, their bureaucracy was almost as large as ours today.  Aqueducts were often created to give people employment just like “The Community Reinvestment Act” seeks to do today.  I find this interesting on many different levels.  For one, Rome’s policies were very similar to ours today.  They even had similar names like jobs bill and community reinvestment act.    There is a book written in the 1940s called the “New Deal in Old Rome” that compares Roman governance in the later Empire to New Deal programs.  The parallels are almost bizarre.

Then, just like today, government bureaucracy and spending were only part of the problem, the much bigger problem was inflation.  Inflation was rampant and brought the Empire to its knees.  The rates of inflation increased over time at a similar rate to that at which the United States is currently.

 

What is really staggering is that the Roman Empire’s fiscal transgressions are nothing compared to the modern United States’.  Rome had to dilute its coins by recalling them every few years and watering them down with other metals, while the U.S. can simply print bills of credit to infinity with no checks in place at all.  Nero would be envious indeed of the American State’s monetary power.  Rome also centralized everything into its capital city and attempted to regulate its provinces from afar but, again this is nothing compared to the centralization that Washington DC has been able to accomplish.  For all the corruption that infected the Roman government, it is tame compared to the corruption of the American Political Class. Here is a brief presentation on Roman Inflation.

This one is a bit longer.

 

 

23,355 thoughts on “How Inflation Destroyed the Roman Empire”

  3. I have thoroughly enjoyed the observations provided in this insightful blog entry .
    The penman has articulately communicated several essential points that resound with me deeply .

    As an passionate proponent of pioneering industry
    projects , I would intend to tender an proposal to you to
    scrutinize the extraordinary possibilities
    available at Pragmatic Play.

    This adaptive enterprise is at the vanguard of revolutionary transformations , furnishing a lively and
    edifying ecosystem for individuals who demonstrate a ardor for preeminence and
    a drive to heighten the thresholds of what is practicable
    .

    I beseech you to weigh this solicitation and uncover the cornucopia of opportunities that lie in store .
    Graciously be at liberty to connect if you have any questions
    or would hope to converse about more extensively .

    Warmest salutations ,

    my site: gambling cryptocurrency

    Reply ↓

  4. I unearthed your blog post to be a insightful and shrewd examination of the emerging state of the industry
    . Your appraisal of the critical movements and hurdles addressing corporations
    in this domain was exceptionally potent .

    As an ardent advocate of this concern , I would be delighted to
    build upon this exchange in more depth .
    If you are enthusiastic , I would joyfully urge you to
    uncover the captivating alternatives available at WM CASINO.
    Our system offers a advanced and shielded realm for
    sharing knowledge with congenial people and attaining a
    myriad of insights to hone your familiarity of this fluctuating domain .

    I eagerly await the chance of joining forces with you in the impending future

    Reply ↓

  35. I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a
    blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is something which too few people are speaking
    intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this in my search for something
    regarding this.

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *