Rome vs Han essay- want get some opinions

[floofthegoof]

Back then a monarchy does no equate with evil as they do in many countries today, mostly because a more democratic government is limited by technology in which only the chosen few can vote, so there's not much difference.

The romans always had more of an oligarchy than a democracy for most of it's history. But there were times when they came pretty close. The Romans did think monarchy was evil, even up to the time of Augustus.

Here is a fragment of an argument by Octavians friend Agrippa, the end of which is lost, as is the beginning of the counter argument by his other advisor Maecenas. In this text, the two arguments run together so look out for that. This discussion was had after Octavian achieved sole power.

Edit: copy and paste whole link. url code not handling * character
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/R ... o/52*.html

It is not only a profound speech, but it says much about the Roman attitude towards monarchy.

As for making the common citizen feel needed, that's a common governing tactic in many governments, including the Han as well. However, one should note that this tactic does not work very well with the lower classes mostly because nationalism exists through education. Thus, nationalism wasn't as firmly rooted back then as it is now. The majority of the population was loyal to the government, such as the emperor, or maybe the general, if they happen to be soldiers.

Roman soldiers could become quite mutinous if their general did not have their best interests at heart. They loved him only as far as he appeared to love them. Delayed promises had better be made good if his command was to be retained.

I don't believe that government type really means anything in terms of national decline. They are just the opposite sides of the same coin. Governments may not want one to think that(as shown in history in which the Greeks despises the Persian government while the Han despises the XiongNu) since to do so does not benefit the nation, but the governments themselves are smart enough to realize that the opposing government isn't made of a bunch of fat, rich idiots.

I disagree, I think it makes perfect sense that a government will be supported by the people only as far as the government can return that support to the people. The very purpose of any government is to serve it's people, and naturally will be supported or abandoned depending on it's value in that regard.