Wheels within wheels.

[Eric the Green]

The USA in the historical cycles has been in an analagous though far from identical position as the late Roman Republic. What succeeded the Republic, which had conquered vast territories, was the closest thing to a universal state that has existed, and a growing connection between east and west, both in a similar point in their history. It was impressive for 4 centuries, but in the third century it became weaker and less stable. A final revival in the early 4th century became oppressive and was transformed into the religious imperial age that succeeded the imperial age/bronze age era.

In our time, what is developing out of the American Republic and other republics and regimes throughout the world is a global society. There is already a world government that was first instituted after the first world war. It will grow in strength and power, as the world becomes ever-more integrated. We do not live in a world of nations anymore. We are a world society, but it can't be an empire dominated by one nation within it as in Roman times. The imperial Age of Mars is long gone. There are diverse power centers that will need to learn to cooperate and join in world coalitions and world institutions. By 2165, a beacon of light for us in the next century, the world system could become a working reality, though still subject to the demands and rights of smaller entities and peoples, with continuing tensions between these priorities.