[FateAmenableToChange]

The changing identification analysis as an explanation for the fall of the empire raises intriguing questions for the potential of the American "empire" (i.e., the diverse conglomerations of cultures that live in the U.S.) to do the same.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

The changing identification analysis as an explanation for the fall of the empire raises intriguing questions for the potential of the American "empire" (i.e., the diverse conglomerations of cultures that live in the U.S.) to do the same

I'd expect the fall of the "American empire" to be the result of a nuclear explosion in D.C. rather than diversity in American cities

[quebecois]

I agree with your comments completely. In essence, barbarian tribes with high levels of population growth moved into the Western Empire (which had a stagnant population). The barbarians had a different culture and a different religion. At first, the elites of the empire thought that they could cohabitate with the newcomers and eventually absorb them into Roman culture. By the time they found out the truth, it was too late.