On Nov 20, 7:21*am, Rich wrote:

Tell us one empire that never fell, eventually.

All empires/systems become lazy, corrupt, unequal and wasteful of
resources. Because all of them have demanded a loyalty to something
which offers little or nothing back. The investment in work or service
should be reflected in the return on that investment. The firm
connection between work or service and creature comforts is often
broken or is never made. Where large numbers of the population are
denied comfort and self respect from within the system then the system
crumbles. You cannot build a long-lived empire on fear. Nor denial of
return on investment for services rendered to the empire. Nor on
obscene inequality. Nor on corruption. These always lead to an
"alternative" economy as the lower orders seek a route to greater
security and comfort levels denied to them within the system. They are
merely copying their master's own corruption. So (for example) they
deal in drugs instead of working for a minimum wage.

Obvious unfairness is the destroyer of loyalty to any system and its
rapid downfall. All empires (to date) have relied on inertia and fear
of unfair sanction to survive. The more active investors in the
system, all receiving sufficient interest, the greater the longevity
of the system. This holds true from a sprawling nation right down to
a small business. Respect breeds self respect which breeds willing
volunteers. Pressed men carry the burden of the entire system on
their shoulders without receiving adequate compensation for the load.
This is extremely counter-productive and typical of dictatorships and
communism. And poorly run businesses and nations.

Productivity within any system is directly related to self respect.
Self respect is built on trust and encouragement. Never on brain
washing, fear and and propaganda. Only corrupt empires will deal with
corrupt empires. This top heavy, mutual gain denies entire populations
the freedom to make their nation (business or empire) wealthy. An
empire is built on the broad foundation of the lower orders. If they
cannot take the load then the entire edifice will sink beneath the
waves.