is it really accurate to assert that exploitative empires were not 'looted'? yes much portable wealth from elites was taken which we shouldn't count, but things like the grain dole, large scale irrigation, the grand canal in china, do effect general welfare imo

[–] Awoo@hexbear.net 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

To an extent yes but the digitisation of currency compared to physical things probably plays a significant role in the efficiency of the looting. Physical looting is going to spread out much more than modern financial looting.

[–] Euergetes@hexbear.net 4 points 2 months ago

yes I think there's something to those modern lootings being more comprehensive, and perhaps permanent because it was secured in the empire rather than stored locally.

it's certainly not 1:1 i just want us to calibrate our thinking around imperial collapse not as a force of nature or good thing, but an issue to be fought over and win popular support about