Doc7505
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- Feb 16, 2016
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‘Bread and circuses’ could strike down America like it did Rome
‘Bread and circuses’ could strike down America like it did Rome
Can we find similarities between our current government’s actions and those of this Roman political policy of “Bread and Circus” during the waning years of the Roman Empire?
thehill.com
The use of propaganda for diversion to an altered state of reality that is defined by the politicians and the political parties is not new. We even observe this concept of diversion in antiquity.
Will Luden in “Bread and Circuses for the Masses – Not Just Ancient Rome” describes the Roman government policy as “Emperors, in the later stages of the Empire, used both free bread (and other food) and free entertainment to placate the larger number of people who were otherwise poorly served by their government.”
{mosads}Jose Azel’s definition in “The Politics of Bread and Circuses” provides an easily understood and concise description. “Bread and Circus” are “political strategies calculated to appease a population and divert attention from controversial or failed policies with populist welfare programs…” He further explains, “public support is thus created not through exceptional public service and effective public policy, but through diversion, and patronage.”
The Oxford Reference provides the following definition:
“A term referring to the potential of spectator sports and mass spectacle to divert populations or factions of a population away from the weightier business of politics and society.”
Can we find similarities between our current government’s actions and those of this Roman political policy of “Bread and Circus” during the waning years of the Roman Empire? In a column for Bloomberg, Alice Schroeder provides a list of specific conditions that existed during the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.~Snip~
“The mighty empire built on tribute reached its geographic limits.”
Is not American influence declining while our military forces are thinly stretched? CNN reflected the Pentagon’s concerns when it reported that “The extended deployment of military cargo jets and Navy ships to help with Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma relief efforts is causing military planners to scramble and recalculate future deployments all the way from Afghanistan to the Korean Peninsula, according to several defense officials familiar with discussions underway inside the Defense Department.”
“Its economy created few exportable goods.”
“Slaves acquired by conquest built most of its bridges, roads and aqueducts and took jobs in farming, mining and construction.”
“As this cheaper labor replaced Roman citizens, idle, unemployed, hungry people filled the capital.
“The Caesars created make-work and part-time jobs, subsidized housing and doled out grain.”
“The emperors added holidays until, eventually, the Romans spent half their days attending gladiator games, public executions and chariot races.”
“Disgusted, the satirist (and ancient Roman Poet) Juvenal accused his fellow citizens of selling out for bribes of ‘bread and circuses.’”
~Snip~
This is just a sample of evidence to support the elements in Alice Schroeder’s list. Would Juvenal view the current state of politics, politicians and government within today’s American society with a jaundiced eye mirrored in Rome’s policy of “Bread and Circus?”
Commentary:
As we celebrate and view The Super Bowl today, I thought it apropos to post this archieved opinion piece.
In many aspects we are repeating the foibles of the past.
Instead of attending the games and gladiator competition at the Coliseum we now watch it on TV. Only the rich are watching it live in Las Vegas.
America should stop to ponder what is really happening to our government and our country...
