Sparta is winning, Athens is losing. Again.

I wonder if in a 1000 years, USA will be seen in the same light as ancient Sparta is today – an aggressive, militarist state.

As the only state amongst its contemporaries where the politics and economy were so influenced by the armed forces, the gun lobby/NRA and the military-industrial complex.

A state remembered  more for its destruction of Communism as a politico-military force and the wars it waged against violent Islamists, than for its accomplishments in advancement of technology, arts & culture.

No, I do not intend to imply that Communism at its peak was akin to the greatness of Athens, nor am I comparing the Islamists to ancient Persians.

What I’m saying that the USA, with its vast entrepreneurial energies, its massive natural & human resources and its long lasting peace on the homeland could have easily surpassed ancient Athens as a symbol of advancement of civilisation. Instead, ever so often, it shows its ugly side which is more Sparta than Athens. And lately, Sparta seems to be winning over Athens.

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