Topic: Diocletian

The decline of the Roman Empire is attributed to the systematic debasement of its currency, starting with Nero and continuing through emperors like Diocletian. By "clipping" coins and reducing their gold content, the Roman state engaged in an ancient form of Keynesianism, attempting to spend its way out of decline. This loss of purchasing power eventually led to the collapse of the empire and the rise of feudalism.

Jeremy Ryan Slate argues that the American Republic effectively fell in 1913 with the creation of the Federal Reserve and the 17th Amendment. He compares the current U.S. situation—marked by high inflation and border instability—to Rome's "Crisis of the Third Century." He suggests that modern leaders like FDR acted as "Augustus" figures who established a new, more centralized power structure.

The decline of Rome is traced from the reign of Marcus Aurelius, who broke the tradition of adopting qualified successors by naming his son Commodus. This led to the "Dominate" era, characterized by despotic rule and the erosion of the Senate's power. The discussion also touches on Constantine's use of Christianity to unite a struggling empire, though he remained a pagan for much of his rule.

Historical precedents show that struggling governments often target minority groups to unite the majority, such as Diocletian’s persecution of Christians. This is compared to modern FBI investigations into parents at school board meetings. The book "In the Garden of Beasts" is cited as a resource for understanding how the "slow burn" of tyranny eventually reaches a critical mass.

The conversation addresses whether the United States can reverse its current state of corruption without violence. Slate notes that Emperor Diocletian successfully extended Rome's life by 200 years through currency reforms and stabilizing silver and gold. He expresses hope that modern communication technology and a return to hard currency could allow the U.S. to correct its trajectory.