(Not to be confused with "Why Nations Fail' by 2024 Nobel Economics Prize Winners Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. Perhaps the subject of another review)

'.. a set of unfolding patterns is already clear enough in the modern world to make it possible to use Roman history to show, first, that the West is currently experiencing only the beginnings of what will be an unfolding and potentially even existential crisis, and, second, that this crisis is revolving around the same key components that undermined its ancient Roman counterpart.'

"Why Empires Fall: Rome, America and the Future of the West" by Peter Heather and John Rapley is an examination of the decline of empires. Through historical example, primarily from the Roman but also the British & European, they put forward the factors that they consider contribute to the demise of powerful states. The parallels from the past to the present are chilling, and of significance in the context of current waning Western economic dominance.

The issues usually identified include; economic struggles, military overreach, political corruption, and cultural stagnation. The themes are broadly similar to those familiar with Gibbon's 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' and this book serves as a great advance on this work bringing many of the now dated theories up-to-date and expanding into a more systems based analysis.

As Western nations - particularly the United States and Europe - are at risk of being overshadowed by economic giants such as China and India, this book serves as a reminder of just how swiftly fortunes can change and the repercussions of wealth gaps, social unrest, and internal political machinations. "Why Empires Fall" argues that insights from the past can help inform our current choices in policy (and leadership), and potentially steer us away from repeating the same errors.

Whilst you may not agree with some of the authors political points, it raises some interesting questions and it does well to highlight the fragile nature of power and the need for responsive governance in a changing world. And its comments on the effect of historical migration driven by climate change are thought provoking.

It may not have anything to say about Bitcoin but it offers a fascinating look into the world Bitcoin may find itself inhabiting in the near-future. Only 168 pages but worth every one.

9/10