Nations tend to collapse from within. Internal problems such as corruption, dysfunction, economic collapse, concentration of wealth and power, and military adventures all wrapped in the creed of exceptionalism suggest that the lessons of history no longer apply.

The ebb and flow of dominant powers in history demonstrate the futility of permanence and the inevitability of decline. It is only a question of when and how fast the seeds of destruction undermine once-great powers. Are the cracks now apparent in our own country likely to widen and render us just another “has-been” nation, incapable of sustaining the balance so necessary to maintain equilibrium? Will China succeed us as the dominant power in this century?

Since Vietnam, the signs have been discouraging. We have engaged in ill-advised wars that have cost us dearly. Yet there are many who are prepared to venture again into conflicts that offer little hope of lasting success and are certain to have unforeseen consequences. The limits of power are so much harder to accept than the boundless exhilaration of hubris.

The process of ascendancy and decline seems to have accelerated. What once took centuries now takes decades, probably due in part to the flow of information now available. Transparency itself has its drawbacks as celebrity politicians compete to distort both the message and integrity of the opposition. How will this play back home becomes far more important than will it serve the common good.

Power and money have replaced checks and balances as the fulcrum upon which public policy is formulated. The well-financed interests of the few outweigh the interests of the many. Ideological partisanship replaces the pragmatism so necessary to achieve consensus. Politics becomes the end game rather than a means to achieve workable solutions.

I believe the founding fathers would be distressed to see the extent to which money and power have undermined the republic and the degree to which public service has become synonymous with serving one’s own personal interest. Few today are willing to risk losing office for a greater good. For them, there is no greater good than their own political survival.

Despite enormous costs, our efforts to project power and control outcomes in the Middle East have failed. There exists little agreement as to what, if anything, we can do to address the problems. Having failed in Vietnam, in Iraq, and likely in Afghanistan, some of us ignore our mistakes and limitations while calling for more of the same.

We cannot fix the world. Of late, we have demonstrated we cannot even fix our own country. The resulting lack of confidence in our ability to prudently address external threats and sensibly deal with internal problems raises questions of competence. Have we become so partisan that as a nation we can no longer agree on coherent and effective policies?

History teaches us that decline is inevitable. Human and institutional flaws will diminish our status and influence, but the pace can be slowed and even reversed temporarily. However, that would require elements of leadership, respect, cooperation, humility, and restraint not now
visible. Once the unraveling begins, it is difficult to stop.

Mankind has made great strides in areas of science and technology that offer great promise for the future. We inhabit one beautiful speck in the vastness of the universe. From space, the earth looks orderly and peaceful. The undercurrents that tear us apart are invisible. Unless we can master ourselves and control the arrogance, pride, greed, and sectarianism that impede our progress, the planet will suffer.

I saw a beautiful newborn in church recently and thought, “He will be my age in 2090.” What will the world be like then? Having mastered many of the natural forces that promise a vastly improved quality of life, will we also have made strides in loving one another? Absent that, real progress is an illusion.

James W. Dolan is a retired Dorchester District Court judge who now practices law.