American Rome and the resurrected Judea

(JNS) — The spectacle of the United States turning 250 and hosting the World Cup brings to mind ancient Rome. Civilizations do not simply rise and fall. They either remain faithful to their mission or rot from within and hand the future to someone else. Greece gave the world philosophy. Rome gave it law and power. Britain carried Greek tools into the modern age. America inherited Rome’s burden.

The United States is Rome’s successor in both symbolism and substance. It has a Senate, an eagle, Latin mottos and global reach. But it also inherits two flaws that brought ancient Rome down.

Rome did n...