Archived Articles by Larry Kelley
A compilation of all Larry Kelley’s published articles, blog posts and opinions.
Immutable Law #3
Appeasement of a ruthless outside power always invites aggression. Treaties made with ruthless despots are always fruitless and dangerous. Prior to the ultimate conquest of the Greek mainland in 338, Greek allies, Thebes and Athens, negotiated the Peace of Philocrates with Philip II of Macedon. This gave him their acquiescence [...]
Immutable Law #2
In battle, free men almost always defeat slaves. (Herodotus’ Law) In 450 BC, Herodotus completed his Histories of the great war between the Greeks and Persians. (It is from his work that we know the details surrounding the battle of Thermopylae popularized in the film, 500). Herodotus, considered the first [...]
A Phenomenon of History: small ruthless bands of thugs will take over vastly larger docile civilizations
One of the lesser understood phenomenon of history is that small ruthless bands of thugs will inevitably take over vastly larger docile civilizations, the operative words being ruthless and civilized. The civilized are those among us who feel that they have too much to lose and are therefore always willing [...]
Immutable Law #1
No nation has ever survived once its citizenry ceased to believe its culture worth saving. (Hanson’s Law) In Professor Hanson’s essay, War Will Be War, which became the genesis for this book and was the inspiration for this immutable law, he wrote: “Themistocles’ Athens beat back hundreds of thousands of [...]
America’s Insolvency May Lead to Catastrophe
(An excerpt) ...During the winter of AD 408-409, (the barbarian chieftain) Alaric, and his invading barbarian army once again moved north into the Italian peninsula. The army swarmed and pillaged its way south until it arrived at the gates of the West Coast city of Portus, the harbor city that [...]
Are We to Lose Our Most Precious Freedoms Soon?
The Implementation of Obamacare In my forthcoming book, Lessons from Fallen Civilizations, I note that no people untouched by the ancient Greeks ever came up with the notion that the many should rule the few. Based on our founding, we are the inheritors of that principle, because we as citizens [...]