Statism Killed Rome

Hey, I didn't say it. He did.

Excerpt:

Greco-Roman civilization, like all great civilizations, developed first and foremost in the cities. The division of labour and commercial exchanges required for economic prosperity, not to mention social and cultural innovations, can only take place in an urban context. The cities of the Mediterranean basin remained relatively independent even in the Hellenistic kingdoms that followed Alexander's conquests, and even in the early days of the Roman Empire. But as of the 3rd century, emperors began confiscating city revenues, reducing their independence, annexing their territories, and centralizing administration. Stripped of the means required to maintain their infrastructures, cities entered a period of economic decline from which they would only emerge a thousand years later in Europe, beginning in the north of Italy and in Flanders.

It makes me wonder. If it existed, then extinguished (Rome) and then reborn (Renaissance), have we entered an extinct phase of economic liberty and if so, one would have to believe another rebirth will come at some point.

I agree that Quebec right now is squeezing the living crap out of Quebecers. It pays me little comfort when a Montreal politician defends higher taxes by saying, "it's not going to kill people." Gee, you think? But it will erode wealth over time. Bet on it.