The Secession of the Plebeians in Ancient Rome and Bitcoin
A Modern Revolution for Financial Independence
Introduction
The secession of the plebeians in ancient Rome stands as a remarkable chapter in the Roman Republic's history, marked by the plebeians' demand for social and political rights. This post explores this historical event and draws parallels with a contemporary phenomenon: the rise of Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency's capacity to challenge traditional financial systems, influence government actions, and promote economic equity mirrors the plebeian secession's impact on the Roman Republic.
The Background of Social Inequality
Before examining the connection between the plebeian secession and Bitcoin, it is crucial to understand the context. In ancient Rome, a sharp division between the aristocratic patricians and the common plebeians was a defining feature of the Roman Republic. The patricians held most of the political power and favored their own interests, leaving the plebeians subject to injustices such as debt bondage, lack of legal protection, and inadequate political representation.
Causes of the Plebeian Secession
The primary causes of the plebeian secession were rooted in these social inequalities and injustices. The plebeians sought recognition and protection of their rights, particularly in the face of patrician abuses. Key grievances that led to the secession included:
Debt Bondage: Many plebeians were burdened with crushing debts due to loans from patricians. This debt bondage often led to the loss of property and freedom, making it a central issue for the plebeians. This is a striking parallel to our over-indebted modern western society, featuring ballooning private debt (credit cards/mortgages/car loans/etc.) and public debt, which are hallmarks of a credit-based fiat monetary system. Many people today live under a modern form of debt slavery.
Lack of Legal Protections: The plebeians demanded written laws (the "Laws of the Twelve Tables") that would ensure fair and equal treatment before the law. Without such laws, they were at the mercy of arbitrary decisions by patrician magistrates. While we do have legal protections (such as the US Constitution, for example), lawmakers, Big Tech and bureaucrats have set themselves to the task of watering-down many of those protections over the years. The First (freedom of speech), Second (right to bear arms) and Fourth (freedom from unreasonable search and seizure) Amendments are regularly under attack in America today and have been for years.
Political Representation: The plebeians sought a greater say in the political decision-making process. The patricians held most of the important political offices, leaving the plebeians marginalized in the governance of the Roman state. This is also very similar to today’s world, where the priorities of the political elite (such as funding forever wars in foreign lands, wasting money on climate fear green energy and printing endless amounts of money leading to the dual theft of inflation and taxes) are not aligned with the needs of the common people.
The Secession of the Plebeians
The secession itself was a dramatic and daring move by the plebeians. The most well-documented secession took place in 494 BCE when they retreated to the Sacred Mount (the Mons Sacer) and vowed to establish their own state unless their demands were met. This act was an effective form of protest because it disrupted the normal functioning of Rome and drew attention to their grievances.
Resolution and Consequences
In response to the plebeian secession, the patricians, fearing the collapse of the state, agreed to negotiate. These negotiations, overseen by leaders such as Gaius Licinius Stolo and Lucius Sextius Lateranus, eventually led to a series of significant reforms:
The creation of the office of the Tribune of the Plebs, providing the plebeians with a formal channel to voice their concerns and protect their rights.
The establishment of the "Laws of the Twelve Tables," which codified Roman law and granted legal protection to all citizens.
The opening of certain political offices, previously exclusive to patricians, to plebeians.
These concessions marked a turning point in Roman history. They began to level the playing field between the patricians and plebeians, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and balanced political system. The plebeian secession served as a catalyst for progressive changes in Roman society, where the struggle for social and political equality continued for centuries to come.
Bitcoin as a Modern Secession
Bitcoin can be seen as a modern equivalent of the plebeian secession, albeit in a different context. By converting fiat money to Bitcoin, individuals are effectively withdrawing their support from the traditional financial system. This act mirrors the plebeians' secession by challenging the established order. Several key aspects of this modern "secession" parallel the demands of the plebeians in ancient Rome:
Draining Funds from the Traditional Financial System: Converting fiat currency into Bitcoin drains resources from the traditional financial system. This has the potential to challenge the status quo and reduce the traditional system's ability to fund "forever wars." This can also eliminate funding for other wasteful government initiatives that only exist because of the money printer.
Eliminating Currency Debasement: Bitcoin's fixed supply (21 million coins) eliminates the risk of inflation and currency debasement. Just as the plebeians sought protection from arbitrary treatment, Bitcoin provides a safeguard against the "tax" of eroding purchasing power due to inflation.
Reducing Wealth Disparity: Bitcoin's decentralized nature disrupts the traditional financial system, reducing the ability of the financial elite (akin to patricians) to manipulate the money supply. This can address concerns about wealth disparity, as Bitcoin's value is determined by market forces rather than central authorities and access to Bitcoin is available to anyone, not just the elites closest to the money printer.
Limiting Government Expenditure: Bitcoin's ability to act as a store of value could limit the government's capacity to endlessly print and borrow money, thereby promoting fiscal responsibility, shrinking the size and scope of government to its essential functions and reducing waste in public spending.
Conclusion
The secession of the plebeians in ancient Rome and the rise of Bitcoin in the modern era share common threads of challenging the established order and demanding fairness and representation. The plebeians sought to rectify social injustices and gain political voice, while Bitcoin enthusiasts aim to reshape the financial landscape, promoting financial independence and economic equity. Bitcoin's potential to drain resources from the traditional financial system, eliminate currency debasement, reduce wealth disparity, and limit government expenditure underscores its revolutionary potential. The spirit of defiance against entrenched powers and the quest for a more equitable system echo across centuries, demonstrating the enduring human pursuit of freedom and fairness. Bitcoin, much like the plebeian secession, embodies the hope of a more just and inclusive world.
Not financial or legal advice, for entertainment only, do your own homework. I hope you find this post useful as you chart your personal financial course and Build a Bitcoin Fortress in 2023.  Â
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