Both of these documents discuss a shift in values for the problems in their respective societies. Sallust tells us that Rome will eventually fall unless they recapture the values of their past. Obama tells us that we need to return to traditional American values to become a strong nation again.
Do you agree with these observations that traditional values are the foundation of the strength of any nation? If you agree, tell us what values are most important for a powerful nation. If you disagree, tell us what really is needed to make a nation powerful.
Due by Friday, March 6.
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Values, are the key to a succesful nation, empire or dominaiton of the world.:) The values that are important, are hardwork, no greed and kindness. Hardwork is an important quality, because without it, children will watch and learn from their elders that laziness is how to get what you want. Being of no greed, is also important, because greed only leeds to power struggles, and wars between the wealthy and the unwealthy. Kindness , is the last of the qualities which i think are most important. With kindness, allies can be made with foreign countries, and kindness with one another can only make the country stronger and more loyal. The hard part isnt obtaining these values. With persistence and perseverence, these can be obtained, but the real challenge is not making the same mistakes past empires like Rome had made. After the flame of our ancestors has been re-egnigted, the values must hold true, and the want for greed and wealth must not be satisfied. For its these evil traits of makind, which starts a never ending cycle of what our history is. Creating a system, holding almost true to it, the values fall, so does the system and chaos or destruction is released, then someone picks up the pieces. This cycle has been our history since there were humans on the earth. If we hold true to these values, and elimiate the need for greed and wealth and excess, the cycle of destruction can be croken.
values play a sizable roles in the determining of a civilization. while things like technology, geography and millitary power play a more sizable role, values are important because they determine hoe those with power act. a society which trumpets frugality, respect and honor will have smooth sailing in their governmental dealings. in america, franklin roosevelt and george bush are two examples. roosevelt took power when america was at its highest point in values. he tirelessly worked to fix america and win world war two. he rose from polio to become a great leader. he was an example of a great leader, born of a great time. he can be called americas marius. bush, however was born of a rich family didnt really try and was pushed along by daddy. he had power in a time when bust was ending and greed was just a market force. he expanded his power over private lives rather than the greedy (a cardinal sin) private sector (that our new values taught us to idolize). his policies led to ruin in the worlds eyes and in our pockets. he is simmilar to sulla because he disastourously expanded "his" branch of the government and (eventually) led rome to ruin.
i strongly believe that values are the base of any nation. hard work is an important value. it keeps the nation financially afloat. it keeps the stores open and the other important things going. honesty is another. without honesty the nation would implode upon itself. avarice is something that would lead to separation. different wealth classes would form "cliques". last is loyalty . loyalty to the nation will prevent destruction form the inside. that is why values are important.
well, the values that started uour nation could keep it alive based on whether or not the rest of the world accepts them. reverting back to their old values might have made rome unappealing to the italians that were now citizens. they would not be granted citizenship if they reverted to the old values of rome. on the other hand, the traditions that america was founded on did not include drugs or murder, they included fighting for what you believe and thats what won the nation indepedence. but despite these examples i have to disagree and say that values do not play more than a minor roll in a nation. the values of the people are based on money and greed, and no amount of action is going to change what they believe, so to those who still cling to the old values, they suffer because some greedy people go to war for money, or start an economic crisis. its then when those who started the war back off and let those poorer then themselves fight. values are important but its the worth of the values themselves that determines whether or not they are useful.
I believe that yes values are key to the success of a good nation. I agree with what Ramzi is saying but you also understand when we want original values it is things like loyalty to Rome of happiness is second to Rome's best interest because in my opinion the Italians getting citizenship is important so even if they do revert to values things like that which can’t really be considered a value could stay good if they benefit Rome. Also I liked what Ramzi said about the drugs and murder founding America. Granted there was probably murder but certainly not drugs or even corruption which was the root of the problem so i think the early America colonies was quite pure in that of their values and it is nice to step back from the fast pace of the 21st century to see that. In some ways may the economy going down may be good because now we won’t make so much technology that we don’t need and be forced to go back to the old values and the old way of living. So maybe this economic decline is really a chance to see where our world is going and how the values really are pure and they are always good to have. Another thing is values are good for a good childhood. Back when the kids were brought up to know a hard day’s work and now that technology has shot up there is no value of that any more because of all this technology. The values of a good nation need to be there to shape the next generation otherwise the empire will not live on.
Values are definatly the foundations of any nations' strength even if the values are either good or bad. Some of the values that are most important for a powerful nation, i think, would have to be, hardwork, loyalty, no greediness, live happily. If there was no hardwork people would just be laying around and nothing would get down. Hardwork was the basis for starting a colony in the old times when i think John Smith said "No work, No food" or somethign liek that because if noone worked then how would they get their food. Being loyal to your nation to you family or to any community helps because that can also gain trust and if this happens its more easy to work together. Greediness is not something that should be valued in a nation for it brings downfall just like how it did to the Romans. If you become greedy, you lose sight on the bigger picture and start narrowing onto smaller which is not good. Another value would have to living happily because if you aren't living happily why are you living at all. This would give life to some people and if the mood is happy then everyone is happy and motivate people to work together and harder. I think Obama is correct in saying that we need togo back to the traditional American values but only the good ones and yet still keep the good modern values to so you have the best of both worlds.
First off I want to say that no civilization is perfect, so the earlier values had to have some weak points to them. Also they were easily overpowered by the values of power and money. so, even if we went back to the old values, the present ones would still remain, and overpower the old ones yet again, Because history keeps repeating itself.
I'm kindof on the fence on this issue, yes If you have good values and you are unified you should last for some point. But you also haev to take into concideration what happened to Rome when they had good values. All of the countries around them had good values at the same time, so there was not much attacking and making empires, once Rome defeated Carthage and started it's empire they lost those values and gained the values of power and wealth. Not the best ones I know, but this poves that you have to put aside some values if you want to become a powerful and influential empire. If Rome were to keep it's same values going, they probably wouldn't have lasted as long, because they would have been attacked and taken over. But you still need those values to be a unified nation. Without them, Rome would look like a magority of americans, corrupt with avarice. People have forgoten the golden rule and it has been swept under the carpet. The golden rule is treat people the way you want to be treated, If everyone followed that, i believe we would have a lot more world peace. which helps for powerful nations, moral wise.
Edward Cummins
Values are the key to a successful nation. I agree with President Obama and Sallust when they say that foundation is the strenghth of any nation. The values that are important that their is no avarice involved and I believe Justin too when he says that Loyalty and Honesty are values of the nation also. Without Loyalty and Honesty their would be no nation, no respect, no pride and a lot of conflict with ideals of the nation. Avarice is chain reaction that can happen with a few important people and then effect the whole entire nation. Those are the few values that we should be engaged in and also one that we should never be in.
I agree that the old values are still important for a strong nation. Responsibility, kindness, honesty, and moral behavior, along with loyalty and the many other positive values described are very important, but it is only the beginning to give a nation what needs to be successful. Having a government that sets an example of ethical values is important. Being an example to others and protecting people’s rights are also necessary. Also, a nation needs laws and protection like the USA’s Constitution to give power to the people so they can have the freedom to grow and develop a better nation.
Sarah Kelley
I believe that traditional values are the essential building block to a sucessful civilization. Values can be considered the "building block" of a society because government, military, or systems of education can be run to follow these ethical standards. Important values in a society include, hard work, loyalty, trust, having a positive out look, and treating people equally and with respect. I agree strongly with what Katelyn said about the government needing to set examples of these values. Nobody above really mentioned respect as a value...and I think that is critical. With respect in a society, decisions can be made or votes can take place quickly and with order. Today, the government and average citizens seem to be losing sight of how far a little respect for someone can get you.
Matt Hoey
I agree with why Rome declined. Many of the men of Rome just tried to get more power by becoming the leader. All of these men tried to become king in Rome and ended being assasinated. Throughout the history of Rome, you can see the downfall of the values they had began their nation with. Values is what is needed to keep peace in a successful civilization. Values is what is needed for people to respect one another as well as defend them. Rome began to erase those values which is why they fell. Barack Obama also spoke about how people need to regain these values in his inaugeration speech so that America can live on. As you can see there is much evidence on how values is what you need in a nation.
I agree with the fall of Rome. I strongly believe that id they spent more time focusing on their stability as a state, and not on their individual powers they would not have fell at such a rapid decline. Also if they had stuck true to themselves and did not accept influence from foreign destinations they would have been better off. They should have said to themselves hey we made this state this powerful we must be doing something right. Obama’s life line is regaining the unity values into American civilization. Every speech I’ve herd at least strongly influences everyone’s influence and without everyone putting in effort we cannot complete the task at hand.
The values of a nation is very key to the foundation of a country. There can be no reason that a country can survive without keeping it's traditional values for long. If a nation falls away from it's values, it can heighten the risk of a rebellion that can lead to civil war. The United States was based off of values that probably most people today have forgotten of. This is because of a long history of people trying to play around the game and making their own rules. That is what has gotten us into this crisis. That is the reason why Rome lost it's empire, because the higher class got what they want and left nothing for the middle and lower classes.
Strong Values are the key to sucess for any nation. Look at America, we became the strongest nation in the world because of our values, and the American Way of life. As that life became corrupted, our nations status began to fall. Rome, in its later years became the Sodom of its time. when humans are exposed to luxury, the only natural response is to crave more of it. the issue is, is that more is never enough.
I agree with the fall of Rome. But the Idea of a nation being at its best in the beginning is absurd. Hey, let’s bring back the old United States! We can reinstitute slavery and all that good stuff. I know what they are trying to say, that Rome was built on certain values that should be followed until the end of its days, but I think that this should have been clearer in the text. The Roman Empire fell not by the sword but by the hearts of its citizens. Hunger for power was death knocking on the door for the Romans. I think a strong nation must have citizens that all want to better their nation in humane ways.
I strongly believe that traditional values help countries succeed and not fail. I believe any country must of values in its foundation or the country will lack power, orginzation and a complex culture. These values im talking about include, hardwork, loyalty, honor, tolerance, ect. Picutre a country with no honesty or loyalty. I think its safe to say that, that country would not do well. Simply becuase the citizens are being lied to. I know I wouldn't like that. I expect the country I live in to protect me, and not protect me by lying, but telling the truth about things no matter what it is. Tolerance is also key. A country needs to have some sort of tolerance, so it doesn't become a destruction zone. I'm not saying a country needs to be 100% peaceful, it just needs to have some tolerance. I believe values are what shine in a country. The higher a countries values, the more united they are. I strongly believe values are important and I agree with the statement out traditional values help us face and overcome new challanges.
I concur and disagree at the same time. If the nation with it's own traditional values were in great success at first than yes, but if they weren't, then obviously no. Either new ideas would have to be made or improvise upon the conflict. A key to a great nation is that of Rome's. Having loyal citizens to standby side by side forth with the nation, proficient or above proficient government, geographical era, etc. Although many of things Rome was gifted with. Anyhow not all nations can ever rise to the highest due to many surrounding obstacles appearing. From the documents it is relevant and ironic how Sullast predicted unless Rome went back to it's normal posture they were doomed to fall, and Barack is asking for all cope and change so the nation doesn't end up ruined.
As stated previosly, traditional values are the main functions of our societys. I agree with both men and as Obama said, we as americans need to restore the traditions that America used to love and cherish. In my opinion, our traditions arn't all white or african-american, but a giant combinatiion of more cultures than I could probably name. These are the traditions that make us wjo we are and more importantly the way we live our lives. As Alex said, their are a few other variables that are probably more important than values, but they make up the way we we as a society act. And i just wrote this blog from my iPod Touch and my thumb is in excruciating pain.
I definetly agree with the idea that values are a very important part of our and any nation. For example, poeple have to first have to learn respectful to others before they can learn to have respect for their country. Also, people should have good moral values to make it a better place for everyone to live. Finally, as Barack Obama said, its important to be hardworking and have responsibility for yourself.
I agree and disagree, if a country had the important values that made it strong in the beginning and they fell away from those values then they should return. If a country say has a chain of cruel dictators or kings then they should create new values. And as stated in the document, Rome pulled away from their traditional values, and their empire was begining to crumble. I belive the most important values to any nation is first off freedom. People need to have the choice of what they want to do. If those choices are bad than so be it, they brought it upon themselves they've earned their punishment. Second value would have to be kindness. Simply treat eachother well in our own country, so we can attempt to form a peace with the rest of the world. And the top priority, like the Romans, put the country before the individual. Like how about some leaders we can trust, that aren't out to grab as much money as they possibly can. Our just citizens who follow that moral would make any nation better.
The essential ingredient to a lasting, stable and peaceful to society are the moral values by which the citizens and leaders live by and carry out through their daily lives. Without values there would be no logic, without logic there would be no laws, and without laws there would be no peace. As the values collapse so does the community's stability in terms of economics, unity, military, government and peace. No civilization is ever perfect. It is with the values of perseverance and persistence that an empire can make strides to stabilty and prosperity.
The above comment is by meg. I forgot to sign out of my brothers email. sorry.
Values, as Matchew said, are the key to a successful nation. Without them people wouldn't grow up knowing the difference between right and wrong. When we were young we knew we had to share because those values were taught to us by our parents. When you grow up those values are carried with you throughout life. I strongly believe that values are the backbone of a successful nation, without them any nation would collapse in upon its self.
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