In 324 AD the Emperor Constantine the Great transferred the Roman Capital to the city of Constantinople. Situated over 800 miles from Rome, the move was a decisive moment in the history of the empire and a humiliating blow to the ancient republic.
By this time, the Empire was in full decline as barbarians closed in on all sides. The legions of the empire were being worn down by hordes of Goths and Germanic tribes who sacked cities and usurped territory.
But more important than the barbarians was the lack of national spirit. In the 18th century the famous historian Edward Gibbon wrote that “If all the barbarian conquerors had been annihilated in the same hour, their total destruction would not have restored the empire of the West: and if Rome still survived, she survived the loss of freedom, of virtue, and of honor.” The Romans had become content with their victories. Rather than assert their independence, they were happy to enjoy their wealth, they were happy to cede their authority to a succession of emperors and foreign mercenaries.
In such a state of dependence, the national pride of the Romans inevitably evaporated. They no longer provided for the defense of their country or made serious efforts to check the authority of the emperors. To be a Roman citizen no longer carried any real distinction, other than the ability to live in luxury.
In such a state of society, when national pride has evaporated, some other form of unity must take its place. In the Roman Empire, the lack of national cohesiveness was supplied by an increase in class distinctions. Constantine the Great, for example, created three new ranks of nobles, in order to gratify the vanity of his most wealthy citizens. Additionally, historians, living in this era contrasted the extreme indulgence of the Roman senators with their former frugality.
In this time period, as opposed to the earlier days of the republic, it was now considered more important to be wealthy than to be a Roman citizen. Thus, class solidarity took the place of national solidarity. Again Gibbon writes that the “principal officers of the empire were saluted, even by the sovereign himself, with the deceitful titles of your Sincerity, your Gravity, your Excellency, your Eminence, (etc).” These distinctions became so great that citizens were forced to salute the eunuchs of the palace as they walked through the city.
The replacement of national unity with other forms of distinction often signals the end of republics, because it illustrates that people no longer adhere to their country above other more trivial distinctions. Rather than be viewed as good citizens who defend their liberty people would rather vie for wealth, power, and honors.
In American society, this is certainly the case. Wealthy intellectuals in the United States believe that their distinction grants them the authority to trample on the rights of their fellow citizens. Reading over the appellations that were handed out by Constantine, one would be hard pressed not to think of Anthony Fauci.
Everything that Fauci said was treated as the epitome of truth by the mainstream media. In fact, he arrogantly claimed that his critics were “really criticizing science because I represent science.” Apparently, his superior intelligence and medical degrees raise him above the level of criticism. Such arrogance was repeated during the fall of the Roman Empire when wealthy officials raised themselves above the level of criticism.
Another more trivial example of the increase in class distinctions was illustrated when the Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed claiming that Jill Biden wasn’t an actual doctor. Jill Biden, who has a doctorate in education from the University of Delaware took major offense to this reasonable call-out. Biden’s director of communications Elizabeth Alexander lambasted the piece as “sexist and shameful.” Additionally, Jill Biden took up the cause of young women stating that “Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished.”
The fulminations of Dr. Fauci and Mrs. Biden illustrate that the Ruling Class is a very real phenomena. Rather than be seen as citizens of a republic who are dedicated to freedom, bureaucrats would like to expand their authority, wealthy individuals would like to expand their influence, and vain intellectuals would like to expand the usage of meaningless titles.
America has certainly always had class distinction as all free societies do. However, these distinctions were tempered by social mobility, individual freedom, and patriotism. Unfortunately, as the bureaucracy has increased, more outlets for powerful individuals to exercise legal authority have emerged. Additionally, the reduction in patriotism has been a major source of discord and division.
At this critical juncture we have a choice to make; whether we will take pride in being citizens of a free nation or succumb to the more vainglorious and tyrannical distinctions of class.
