When Rome's system falls apart: the repersonalisation
Rome rules evolution [1]
In the Rome introductions I proposed some plausible claims about the society of ancient Rome. In contrast to most other historical societies Rome’s governance was organisationally differentiated by categories of participation. Participation operated as a system of structured interactions in the absence of any single power centre. System interactions were organised through relationships between the power zones of senate, magistrates, and assemblies. The operative system interactions were individualistic and diffusively clientelistic.
Systems are inherently impersonal. As explained in my theoretical introductions, whole governance systems, which are rare, are always programmed as instructions to give preference to an impersonal rule over a discretionary choice. In practical terms, systems operate regardless of personal preferences and personal discretion. Rather, persons adapt to systems until such time as they choose not to, and then the systems fall apart. Patro…