The Cycle of Corruption, as Observed by the Greeks

[@armorbearer9702]

Basically, virtue is the most important thing a civilization needs. Without it, every kind of government will fall.

[@VeganWithAraygun]

Trump has already done to America what John Wayne Gacy did to the boys in the neighborhood. The next 4 years will make 2017-2021 look like a pleasant walk in the park.

[@Melkorleo103]

Virtue is a short-lived beast.

[@cristianluna5568]

Virtue only exist within the minds of people. It needs to be instilled within the population at a very young age. Plato’s republic loosely touches upon this. When he says the only those who are the wisest and most intelligent of us should be allowed to rule. However, even that is not immune to corruption.

[@Michael0663-qo4wx]

If we are relying on “virtue among the masses” to save civilization then we are utterly doomed into today’s climate.

[@stefdiazdiaz7067]

Civilization is slavery, the gov is the mob.

[@asdisskagen6487]

I am inclined to think that EVERY form of government only functions if the citizenry it presides over is virtuous; all civilizations rest on the basic tenet of people forming social contracts, regardless of what laws they are governed by.

[@n4ughty_knight]

That's a very common view among Asian philosophies and religions.

[@spiritseeker2831]

a virtuous people dont have a need for a government 🤣

[@thekinghass]

That is the problem my friend when it came to social construct are they fundemantle in existence as character of society that will always rise when give a chance or are they made independently from the making of society it self

[@RedactedBrainwaves2]

I believe it's the opposite, the virtue of the ruling class which is then reflected downwards onto the people.

[@phineascromwell]

@@RedactedBrainwaves2 An unrealistic idyllic proposition. Humanity is not a hive-mind.

[@goa9034]

Wow This is relevant today Thanks Cheers from Chile

[@markwrede8878]

The cycle is private ownership disposing of insufficiently servile governments.

[@Michael0663-qo4wx]

Corporate greed and lobbying.

[@markwrede8878]

@@Michael0663-qo4wx If profit be a required component, what is greed?

[@willmyles1285]

They are in constant conflict.

[@MyKrabi]

Thank you from Canada

[@elasticharmony]

"Virtuous people" is not very likely today, but; the American experiment is very adaptable. I don't see the founding fathers liking what they see today in Washington DC or NYC, but; the forms of politics that the Greeks numbered may not be the whole picture.

[@Michael0663-qo4wx]

Virtuous people became the great minority ever since the creation of money.

[@garychurch9237]

If this video had been made into a story and memorized by schoolchildren, we would not be experiencing the end of America.

[@rocketpig1914]

Sadly, we would. The information is all there in the old tales, but like other civilisations before us, people start to think they are the exception to the rule.

[@Gearhart.]

We haven't lost this country. Things are certainly bad right now but they could always be so much worse. Keep the faith.

[@garychurch9237]

@@Gearhart. It is like the reformation, the church breaking into Catholic and protestant. The pope is neoliberalism. Never shall the two ever be joined again. It is the end of America and if by some path democracy returns, it will not be what we had.

[@SB-vl3ws]

​@@Gearhart. Things are about to get a lot worse. We are entering the finding out stage of f-ing around.

[@Gearhart.]

@@SB-vl3ws it certainly would get a lot worse if the alternative would have been elected president.

[@sylvias.7048]

I studied Poly sci in the 80's. I had a very learned Prof who explained if there

[@RedactedBrainwaves2]

Whether the elite rules with virtue or not is what defines the times. If there's little virtue in the ruling class less so will be found in the classes beneath them, and lesser will be their inherent right to rule. Thus classes are abolished, one by one. Because lower classes lack the qualities of their former masters, the process of degradation accelerates. By the moment anarchy is what remains, horrifying events become a daily occurrence, and the only way out is a great man of history.

[@rschiwal]

There is a saying, I'm not sure from where, but it says hard times create hard men. Hard men create easy times. Easy times create soft men, soft men create hard times

[@teyrncousland7152]

It’s wrong actually. It’s actually more like this: Easy times create soft men, soft men make unhappy and unsatisfied women, unhappy and unsatisfied women create hard times , hard times create hard men, hard men make happy and satisfied women and happy satisfied women make good times. And repeat.

[@Michael0663-qo4wx]

@@teyrncousland7152 That’s nonsense. You’re just trying to shift blame unto women like a misogynist. Money and Power overrule any gender difference or “hard times, easy times” myth. How about we just create a peaceful, intelligently run world that provides basic needs for everyone to survive and the opportunity to thrive. There is no need for nuclear warfare or environmental destruction to “go through hard times” to make men hard again smh.

[@willmyles1285]

Wow, what a simplistic excuse for the suffering of others.

[@darylwayne5307]

Have we broken the anti-cyclosis? Not hardly. This is very good review.

[@josephpercy1558]

*anacyclosis

[@markmunro7570]

I enjoyed your video. I suggest that nearly all state failure is preceded by an over-concentration of power at the top. We could simplify Polybius' anacyclosis cycle by focusing on states' ability to maintain a distribution of power. States/Governments usually endure as long as they hold off an over-concentration of power at the top. States/Governments fail when power becomes over-concentrated at the top. The simple diagnosis is that the role of government is to assure and maintain a distribution of power. This role is greatly aided when a cultural aversion to an over-concentration of power at the top of society exists. Crucially, the over-concentration of power at the top of society needs to be recognized as a defining permanent threat to the state/government. Paradoxically, by founding government on a oppositional or negative purpose, imo, frees it from it's usurpation for mischievous, unproductive agendas.

[@Nathaniel-r8l]

Power and money are like manure. Pile it up in one place, and it stinks. Spread it around, and it makes things grow.

[@markmunro7570]

@@Nathaniel-r8l Thanks for the feedback. I am interested in describing a formal role for government, such as the overriding purpose of government is to manage power; being vigilant of its over-concentration and maintaining its distribution.

[@sagapoetic8990]

Our Forefathers would be shocked how our culture has tanked.

[@Michael0663-qo4wx]

Trump as dictator now

[@Pwn3540]

Especially with how housing is treated

[@Alainmontpellier1000]

@@Michael0663-qo4wx No way did you actually type that, lmao.

[@Michael0663-qo4wx]

@@Alainmontpellier1000 Trump is a Fascist 100%. His own 5 star generals say that. But you must know Trump way better and more personally than our highest ranked military officers, right bruh????? 🤣🤪🥴 Or it’s a “deep state conspiracy” against billionaire mafia connected corrupt Trump who plays victim 24/7.

[@kefengyuan3278]

There is another factor we need pay attention: after a longer time period of peaceful living, the people tend to be corrupted gradually together. Blaming the leader only, not themselves.

[@KnoxEmDown]

0:33 "*BASED* on the deficiencies of the ruling parties."

[@agnel47]

He said it, he said the word.

[@stucco76]

I suggest of course Plato dialogues and Aristoteles "Politika"...its interesting to see the evolution from Mycanean times of kings ,to the city states tyrans,oligarchy,democracy,even one type of communism...we can recognise the differences of course,but ancient greeks from Platos time and after point out the corruption and the differences in democracy,other was the democracy to Solons time,other to Pericles where the corruption and the "tyranny of the mass"as Socrates says to the judges start..

[@hieronimusrexx9203]

When vice is a virtue is there really any virtue left?

[@Nathaniel-r8l]

Please define 'virtue'. Then explain how to maintain it over generations.

[@NashHinton]

Traits that are the opposite of Trump.

[@timlies3627]

America from democracy to tyranny

[@BXMKE]

Democracy is the tyranny of the majority. Most people silently root for the wrong thing to get what they view is right. Voting brings mass manipulation and total government control as they have the excuse of being ‘elected’ even if it’s like China where there’s no other option. Also the Dems and Reps are not that different philosophically and both stem from the Whig party. Christendom is true feedom.

[@dave4882]

When we get rid of greed we will have a government system that will last.

[@ArchiveAcheron]

"By Vice By Virtue"

[@willmyles1285]

Bad people who hurt inside hurt others. That cycle peaks to saturation within the population if left un check.

[@James-pj6zj]

Without God there is only made up morality.

[@howtoappearincompletely9739]

3:03 anacyclosis = ἀνακύκλωσις

[@genepozniak]

Wow!

[@howtoappearincompletely9739]

6:17 No.

[@AkiraNakamoto]

Alchemy of politics.

[@TheGringoSalado]

Sometimes it would be preferable to be ignorant

[@giuseppersa2391]

Quite so.

[@gavinfoley103]

❤

[@ted1045]

Sounds a lot like the pride cycle in some respects. Have we broken the cycle? I doubt it. Human nature is fickle. Some generations have greater and lesser virtue. Living in the era I am in now and the intense animosity on both the left and the right I feel like I'm watching what little virtue people may have left disappearing at an accelerated rate.

[@tomkat69pc]

5:56 - "much like the American founders believed their government would succeed only if its people remained virtuous" - HAHAHA - coming from Slave Owners .. .

[@TransNeingerian]

Tolerance is not a virtue. We are too tolerant.

[@Nathaniel-r8l]

Tolerance is definitely a virtue, in moderation.

[@kubhlaikhan2015]

Virtue is being tolerant of the right things.

[@unknowninfinium4353]

Aethiests are really quiet.

[@Miss.Denise94]

[@edsmith9846]

Far too many humans is the cost of most social problems that humans have ever seen. Drop the population of humans down to 10 percent of the 8 billion that now exist now and over 99 percent of our problems will go away.

[@cliffgaither]

@armorbearer :: "virtue" ? "Civilizations" are not governed by virtue ! You will have to define "virtue". First :: civilizations have never existed. In order for civilizations to exist, there must be mutual respect and civility ; two things the Western countries have never understood beyond their blunders and blood-spoils and blood sacrifices. Second :: Resources have always had more importance then virtue. One conquistator, when approached by missionaries to help convert the natives said :: _I'm not here to convert them, I'm here for the gold._

[@MacedonianBro]

MACEDONIA NEVER GREEK !!!!!!!

[@brianwings6908]

NO ONE CARES !!!!!!!!

[@claudermiller]

Trump, the absolute epitome of virtue.