| The notion that power corrupts is inherently false. Power attracts those individuals that are corruptible. Thus, is corruption an inherent characteristic of all positions of power and/or those people in power? If so, is it possible to state that the wax and wane so indicative of empires is due to this inherent characteristic of those in power and the position of power itself?
What role does human psychology play in this calamity? Not only the psychology of the rulers, but most importantly the psychology of the ruled. What are the psychological features and characteristics of the ruling elite? Furthermore, what are the psychological features and characteristics of those that are ruled? Perhaps, China itself can be utilized as an extreme example of Social Engineering and of Subordinate Evolution. There, two thousand years of the imperial boot have stomped out all dissension and have selected for certain features and characteristics within their subordinate population. Realizing the faults of others seems rather trivial, can we thus turn the eye of introspection upon ourselves?
Have we, members of the American society, socially engineered and selected - or perhaps "steered" is a better term here than selected? If so, have we passed the point in which to turn ourselves back greatly outweighs the possible benefits? If not, what arduous process is required to alter the present course? Is it possible to create an enduring empire, an institution that does not fade or display the symptoms of a much needed intellectual revolution?
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