Very interesting ....but what’s the bottom line? IOW...Why did they fall? er ..devolve?... in ten words or less.
I think about this sometimes in the context of our current geopolitical situation. Is it not the wisest policy for a United States in what historically must be a temporary ascendancy to provide for a world wherein it will be safe not to dominate? That would be something altogether new in history.
Some see that as an argument for globalism. Some others - myself, for one - see it as an argument against. Food for thought, I guess.