Politics Then and Now – What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: Not much.

Then: Spies, plots, deception, fake news &, execution of rivals

Now: Spies, plots, intrigue, deception, fake news & character assassination of rivals.

I’ve been reading history and historical novels.

Ten Caesars by Barry Strauss begins with Augustus whose reign began in 27 BCE, and concludes with Constantine who ruled from 306 CE to 337 CE.

Roman rulers ranged from reasonably benevolent to tyrannical. A common thread through all was the imperative to gain and hold power. Advantageous marriages, divorces, and courting those already in power were key. Political alliances came and went as power shifted.  Plots, deception, murder, trickery and conspiracy were standard tactics. False stories were circulated to discredit rivals. Rivals and pretenders were executed, forced to commit suicide, or exiled to remote provinces.

Things were pretty much the same in the 15^th and 16^th century reigns of the Plantaganets and Tudors.

Here, too, rivals and pretenders were executed or imprisoned or both. Advantageous marriages were vital to retain control and ensure the desired succession. The Tower of London was either a lifetime prison or the last step before beheading.

Intrigue included spies in every noble household, among merchants, and at every port of entry. A non-technical equivalent of today’s bugging technology. At one point, many nobles had their private conversations only where there was no chance for eavesdropping False stories were circulated to discredit rivals.

So here we are today – from municipal to national politics.  Spies are planted in rival’s campaign organizations, etc. Electronic bugging happens.  False stories are planted in our vast media community.  Assassination today is figurative, not literal, but still destroys rivals.

Today’s politics are just the modern version of ancient Roman, and not quite so ancient, English monarchs.

Only the names and the faces have changed.

One immortal quote from The Ten Caesars:

 “Emperors come and go but the bureaucrats provide continuity.”