Demotic Millennialism

The Societal Foundations of National Competitiveness

“…40 Others disagree, suggesting that although environmental crises did hurt the empire over time, "it is probably right to see them as subsidiary, rather than primary, causes of the decline of the ancient economy." 41 Even Harper admits that the Antonine Plague, a major pandemic event that forms part of his narrative, did not produce social chaos, was not a "fatal blow," and did not cause "the fabric of the empire" to "come unwound," noting, in fact, that it "roared back" from a second major plague in the third century CE. 42 Indeed, when considering the specific effects of climate change or associated calamities such as disease, Harper's superb analysis cannot assign relative causal weight to any single factor, and he admits that the real story is how these ecological insults combined with pressure from outside forces (such as the Goths and Huns) to fracture the empire.…”

“…In the first decades of the Meiji period, Japanese "intellectuals shared a determination to remake their society with an idealism that would not reappear until the immediate post-World War II era in 1945." 41 "Enlightenment and self-improvement were efforts which Japanese embraced enthusiastically," Jansen writes. 42 He refers to "the restless ambition of Meiji youth determined to make a name for themselves in the new society."…”

“…The young man was quickly made aware of the advantages it conferred, learning to perceive in it a perfection wanting in other states, and was naturally moved by such perfection." 41 The point, by implication, was that Austria-Hungary lacked this degree of shared identity.…”

“…And in terms of gender relations, "The flexible vision of Romanitas [Roman selfidentity] also meant that Roman women, at least in the elite classes, had access to far greater freedom and more legal rights than women in many other ancient societies." 41 It is critical not to exaggerate the degree of shared opportunity in any ancient society, including Rome. Vast numbers of average citizens could aspire to little more than basic subsistence.…”

“…44 40 "In sum, Roman women enjoyed a legal independence in marriage that is quite remarkable by comparison with the position of women in many other traditional agrarian societies" (Garnsey and Saller, 2014, p. 155). 41 Emily Wilson, "The Secret of Rome's Success," The Atlantic, December 2015. 42 See Garnsey and Saller, 2014, pp.…”