Jeremy Slate - 3 Things That Happened in 1913 That Changed the World | SRS #281

In this podcast episode, host Shaun Ryan engages in a far-reaching conversation with Jeremy Ryan Slate, an expert on history and societal patterns, focusing on the Roman Empire and how its legacy relates to modern societal and political issues. Throughout the discussion, they explore historical patterns of decline, the role of money and power in empire collapse, religion's impact on politics, immigration dynamics, military evolution, political corruption, and American transformation, highlighting three pivotal events in 1913 that symbolize a turning point in the U.S. political and economic landscape.

The Roman Empire: Patterns of Rise and Decline

Jeremy outlines the nearly 2,000-year history of Rome, from its founding as a kingdom in 753 BC through its republic and imperial phases. He emphasizes the Romans' distrust of kingship after overthrowing their last king and the unique way their republic functioned as an oligarchy where wealthy voters held disproportionate power. Their political offices came with rigorous traditional prerequisites, yet these traditions eroded over time, especially during the chaotic last hundred years of the republic. This erosion culminated in Julius Caesar's dictatorship for life, marking a pivotal shift from republic to empire.

Patterns observed in Rome's decline—such as monetary collapse, border control failures, and shortsighted politics—are seen as recurrent themes in many societal collapses. The debasement of currency, inflation, and loss of trust in government institutions echoed throughout Rome's fall and are paralleled in modern societies. The third century, in particular, was a critical era characterized by political instability, rampant inflation reaching as high as 15,000%, and rapidly changing emperors often backed by their personal armies. Rome's military increasingly became a transactional institution, where loyalty was tied less to the state and more to individual commanders willing to pay their soldiers.

Money, Inflation, and Currency Collapse

A central pillar of the conversation focuses on the deterioration of Rome's ability to manage its currency, which remarkably parallels current economic troubles. Roman coins originally held substantial precious metal content but were progressively debased until they were nearly valueless bronze pieces. This led to hyperinflation, loss of market trust, hoarding of gold, and a burgeoning black market within the empire. The inability to stabilize the monetary system undermined the entire economy and the government's capacity to fulfill its functions.

Jeremy highlights that America and other modern nations face similar monetary challenges, noting that a large proportion of the U.S. money supply has been created recently, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. He doubts the political will exists to reset and fix the currency system fully, given how painful and unpopular such measures would be. The Federal Reserve, founded in 1913, like Rome's monetary system, is a cartel that serves banking interests rather than the broader public, further complicating trust in economic governance.

Religion, Politics, and the Rise of Christianity in Rome

The discussion moves into how Rome's religious policies intersected with political stability and transformation. Initially, Christianity was considered a sect of Judaism and largely ignored or tolerated when it posed no threat to social order. Roman religion was syncretic, borrowing gods freely from conquered peoples, which allowed relatively broad religious freedom as long as the "peace of the gods" was maintained.

Periods of crisis, however, triggered persecution of Christians and other groups who refused to participate in state religious rites, as emperors sought to restore divine favor. Constantine's pivotal conversion after the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 311 AD marked a shift towards Christianity's legalization and eventual elevation as the state religion under Emperor Theodosius in 380 AD. Christianity became a tool for social cohesion in the empire's waning years, although it did not singlehandedly cause Rome's fall.

Immigration, Citizenship, and Identity in the Roman Context

Immigration and integration were complex issues in Rome, with citizenship long regarded as the most valuable asset a person could acquire. Military service was a primary pathway to citizenship, which conferred legal rights and social mobility. However, as Rome expanded and faced military pressures, the influx of "barbarians" and non-Roman peoples increased. This dilution of identity and the empire's failure to integrate newcomers effectively contributed to its fragmentation.

The Edict of Caracalla in 212 AD extended citizenship to millions overnight, providing immediate tax revenue but devaluing citizenship and straining resources such as the grain dole. As Rome militarized, borders weakened amidst internal political discord, resulting in growing immigration pressures from tribes and peoples less loyal to Roman identity. Jeremy draws parallels to modern immigration debates, where he argues that a lack of cultural cohesion threatens societal stability.

The Military Transformation and the Role of the Praetorian Guard

Roman military dynamics played a vital role in political power shifts. Traditionally, the military was an institution loyal to the republic and the state, but by the third century, military commanders wielded increasing personal power. Soldiers' loyalty was often purchased with increased pay and bonuses (donatives), inflating the empire's financial burdens and accelerating economic collapse.

The Praetorian Guard began as an elite imperial bodyguard but evolved into a shadow power broker capable of making and unmaking emperors, often acting with little regard for popular will. Their influence represented one of the deep corruptions within imperial governance. The transactional nature of the military and the internal power struggles undermined Rome's unity and security.

The American Transition: Three Critical Changes in 1913

Parallel to ancient Rome's story, Jeremy identifies three watershed moments in 1913 that transformed the American political and economic landscape and eroded foundational republican structures. First, the Federal Reserve Act established a central banking system largely controlled by private banking interests, disconnecting monetary policy from democratic oversight and weakening economic accountability.

Second, the 16th Amendment introduced the income tax, providing the government with a new and expansive revenue mechanism, further entrenching the modern bureaucratic state and expanding federal influence over citizens' livelihoods.

Third, the 17th Amendment mandated the direct election of senators by popular vote, eliminating state legislatures' previous role in senatorial selection. This change diminished states' influence as sovereign entities and reduced a vital check on federal power, contributing to increased centralization and executive dominance.

Together, these changes, coupled with further executive power expansions under Presidencies like FDR's New Deal and ongoing reliance on executive orders, have moved the United States away from its original constitutional republic toward a more centralized, imperial-style government.

The Role of Education, Culture, and Civic Engagement

Jeremy emphasizes the erosion of cultural cohesion and education as fundamental challenges today, echoing patterns from Rome's decline. As the empire lost its traditions and people lost confidence in institutions, they grew disconnected from the social fabric that held them together. The diminished emphasis on apprenticeships, practical skills, and historic knowledge has weakened societal capability and resilience, contributing to fragmentation.

Cultural identity and shared values function as a societal "glue," and without them, communities fracture. Jeremy warns that to sustain a society, its members must be invested in common ideals beyond mere economic or transactional relationships.

The Question of Collapse: Process Over Event

Both Shaun and Jeremy stress that societal collapse is a long process rather than a sudden moment. For ordinary people, life often continues in familiar ways until systemic breakdowns become undeniable. Rome's fall centered over centuries of decline, with political fractures, economic troubles, and cultural shifts happening gradually. Similarly, modern societies may be in phases of slow disintegration, difficult to perceive in real time but apparent in hindsight.

The idea that a single catastrophic event signals collapse is a myth propagated in popular culture; history reveals layered processes of erosion and adaptation.

Challenges in Historical Understanding and Narrative Control

The conversation also touches on the difficulties in interpreting historical truth. Much of Roman history was recorded by literate elites dependent on imperial favor, shaping narratives to legitimize those in power. The famous historian Edward Gibbon, for example, wrote declining Rome's history with a bias against Christianity, influenced by his own context.

Likewise, modern history and media are often shaped by institutional interests, highlighting the importance of skepticism and understanding the perspective and incentives behind any account.

Modern Reflections and Parallels

Throughout the discussion, parallels between ancient Rome and contemporary America emerge repeatedly—military overreach, political corruption, monetary collapse, cultural fragmentation, and immigration pressures. Jeremy expresses concern about America's trajectory, particularly the erosion of economic fundamentals, the increasing executive power, and the fragmentation of identity and civic engagement.

He stresses the necessity of addressing currency credibility, border security, and reviving a culture of responsibility among political leaders, while acknowledging these tasks are daunting. Without action, the risk of decline looms, though the timing remains uncertain.

Guests and Resources Recommended

In closing, Jeremy suggests several guests with expertise relevant to the themes explored. He mentions Nick McKinley, an advocate for child protection online, Caleb Gilbert, a security consultant, and the author of The Fourth Turning, a book examining cyclical patterns in history and economics. These resources offer further insight into understanding societal shifts and challenges faced today.