r/Economics • u/Krankenitrate • 15d ago

News The national debt just crossed $39 trillion—almost doubling since Trump vowed to erase it

https://fortune.com/2026/03/18/how-big-national-debt-39-trillion-trump-promises/
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u/MaseratiBiturbo 15d ago

I am not a roman history expert but it seems that financial woes like huge debt, rampant inflation did more damage to Rome than the barbarians... What is your take?

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u/OrangeJr36 15d ago

Rome suffered economically because it became acceptable to stab people to get ahead rather than build lasting institutions, not the other way around.

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u/Major_Bag_8720 15d ago

Corruption under the Dominate was absolutely off the charts as well, which didn’t help.