{"id":98306,"date":"2025-01-07T15:35:42","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T20:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=98306"},"modified":"2025-01-07T15:35:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T20:35:42","slug":"opinion-theodore-christou-and-louis-volante-discuss-trudeaus-resignation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2025\/01\/opinion-theodore-christou-and-louis-volante-discuss-trudeaus-resignation\/","title":{"rendered":"OPINION: Theodore Christou and Louis Volante discuss Trudeau’s resignation"},"content":{"rendered":"

This piece written by Theodore Christou, Professor of Education History at Queen’s University, and Louis Volante, Professor of Educational Studies at Brock University, originally appeared in The Conversation<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Canada finds itself at a moment of reckoning. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau\u00a0has announced his resignation\u00a0as recent polls place his governing Liberal Party at its lowest support levels in decades, with voter intent hovering\u00a0at just 16 per cent.<\/p>\n

Trudeau\u2019s approval ratings reflected widespread dissatisfaction with national leadership, raising the prospect of a substantial electoral defeat.<\/p>\n

As academics whose combined expertise examines foundations of\u00a0education in the ancient world\u00a0and\u00a0in democracies under crisis\u00a0\u2014 and how\u00a0governance, leadership\u00a0and public policy shapes social and educational outcomes \u2014 we believe this moment of instability invites us to look backward.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important for society at large,\u00a0but also students in classrooms, to understand the patterns that shape societies and leadership. We want students to learn from history and to make a path forward that is informed by the past.<\/p>\n

Lessons from Rome<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rome, a civilization renowned for its governance and adaptability, also faced moments of profound uncertainty. From the transformation of its republic to the eventual\u00a0fall of its western Empire, Rome\u2019s history offers insights into the tensions between ambition and resilience, governance and neglect.<\/p>\n

These reflections illustrate the stakes of leadership, showing us how an understanding of our past can help shape our future.<\/p>\n

As Canada navigates challenges ranging from economic pressures to social fragmentation and political mistrust, the lessons of Rome\u2019s rise and fall offer powerful lessons.<\/p>\n

Leadership that understands its moment \u2014 grounded in history but attentive to the present \u2014 has the capacity to transform adversity into renewal. In examining these historical parallels, leaders can hold a mirror to their challenges and consider how to move forward with courage and purpose.<\/p>\n

Short-sightedness, awareness of history<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rome\u2019s early successes rested on its ability to ground governance in historical consciousness.<\/p>\n

Augustus, the first Roman emperor,\u00a0deliberately revived traditional Roman virtues. By linking his rule to Rome\u2019s storied republican past, Augustus fostered continuity and stability within a diverse empire.<\/p>\n

Historical consciousness in Rome brought about unity and legitimacy across centuries of change, reinforcing its governance through shared\u00a0cultural identity.<\/p>\n

This foundation eroded over time. In 212 CE, Emperor Caracalla issued the\u00a0Constitutio Antoniniana, granting citizenship to nearly all free inhabitants of the empire. This expanded the tax base but diluted the bonds that had once united Roman citizens, weakening social cohesion and sowing seeds of fragmentation.<\/p>\n

Decisions made for immediate benefit ultimately undermined Rome\u2019s long-term resilience, demonstrating the risks of short-sighted governance.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s political landscape shows\u00a0similar tendencies.<\/p>\n

Delays in\u00a0infrastructure projects,\u00a0housing shortages\u00a0and\u00a0lack of investments in border security\u00a0reflect a focus on electoral cycles over enduring change.<\/p>\n

A historical focus can foster sustainable governance by highlighting patterns and offering perspective on current challenges. Emperor Marcus Aurelius\u2019s declaration \u2014 \u201cwhat we do now echoes in eternity\u201d \u2014 serves as a reminder that leadership grounded in history builds legacies rather than short-lived gains.<\/p>\n

Economic decline<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rome\u2019s reliance on conquest-driven wealth masked\u00a0systemic vulnerabilities. Expansion brought a steady influx of resources, but as territorial growth slowed,\u00a0inflation rose, taxes became burdensome and resources were depleted.<\/p>\n

These economic pressures left Rome ill-equipped,\u00a0destabilizing its foundations.\u00a0Financial mismanagement became\u00a0a driver of the Roman Empire\u2019s\u00a0eventual collapse.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s economy,\u00a0while diverse, exhibits its own challenges.\u00a0GDP growth\u00a0ranks among the lowest in the G7, at just 1.5 per cent in 2023 compared to 2.7 per cent in the United States.<\/p>\n

Inflation, which\u00a0peaked at 8.1 per cent in 2022, continues to erode household purchasing power, while housing affordability remains a national crisis,\u00a0with average home prices exceeding $700,000.<\/p>\n

Food bank reliance reached record levels in 2023, with nearly two million visits per month, underscoring growing economic inequality.<\/p>\n

Rome\u2019s failure to adapt its financial systems demonstrates the dangers of focusing on short-term fixes at the expense of broader solutions. For Canada, addressing these vulnerabilities demands strategic investment in building resilient communities and a\u00a0long-term strategy to address the ballooning deficit.<\/p>\n

Immigration: A double-edged sword<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rome thrived when it successfully integrated immigrants into its military and society. Policies granting citizenship to foreign soldiers\u00a0bolstered the army and fostered loyalty, enabling the empire to grow and thrive.<\/p>\n

Yet by the fourth century, uncontrolled migration strained resources and disrupted social cohesion. The\u00a0Visigoths, a western European power initially welcomed as allies, later sacked Rome in 410 CE, exposing the fragility of an overstretched system.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s immigration system faces similar pressures. Immigration drives economic growth and innovation, with the current government viewing it as essential to help\u00a0buffer an aging population.<\/p>\n

But inadequate infrastructure \u2014 especially in housing and health care \u2014 limits Canada\u2019s ability to support and integrate newcomers effectively. Without appropriate checks and balances, immigration poses additional stress to social services and erodes social cohesion.<\/p>\n

Public safety: Trust and governance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Public safety was foundational to Rome\u2019s early stability. For instance,\u00a0Augustus established the Vigiles, a combined police and fire brigade, to maintain order and security in Rome\u2019s bustling urban centres.<\/p>\n

Alongside parallel institutions, including\u00a0urban cohorts\u00a0and the\u00a0military, this structure was one of the earliest public investments in citizen protection and safety. As trust in governance eroded, however,\u00a0public safety collapsed, contributing to instability and unrest.<\/p>\n

Canada faces rising concerns about public safety.\u00a0The violent crime severity index\u00a0has increased by 32 per cent since 2015, reflecting significant spikes in assaults and homicides.\u00a0Calls for bail reform from provincial premiers\u00a0highlight a growing crisis of confidence in the justice system across Canada.<\/p>\n

Rome\u2019s experience illustrates that public safety relies not just on enforcement but on\u00a0trust in institutions, proactive governance and community-focused solutions.<\/p>\n

Corruption: The rot within<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Roman lawyer Cicero\u2019s prosecution of Verres, a corrupt governor, illustrates the corrosive effects of unchecked power. Despite laws like the\u00a0lex calpurnia, designed to combat bribery, corruption persisted, eroding public trust and\u00a0destabilizing Rome from within.<\/p>\n

Corruption, left unchecked, weakens institutions and undermines legitimacy, leaving states vulnerable to collapse.<\/p>\n

Canada has faced its own ethical challenges and political scandals. The\u00a0SNC-Lavalin affair, the\u00a0Emergencies Act decision\u00a0and the\u00a0WE Charity scandal\u00a0have all tested public trust.<\/p>\n

Mismanagement of the\u00a0ArriveCAN app, costing over $54 million, highlights the risks of ineffective oversight.\u00a0Cicero\u2019s warning\u00a0\u2014 \u201cThe welfare of the people is the ultimate law\u201d \u2014 reminds us that transparency and accountability are essential to the integrity of governance.<\/p>\n

A path forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

History reveals patterns of governance that shape societies over time. Rome was a civilization that grappled with the tensions between ambition and neglect, belonging and division, stability and decay.<\/p>\n

The experiences of ancient Rome don\u2019t necessarily offer solutions, but provide insights to leaders on how to confront their own challenges with honesty, depth and resolve. In Canada today, this historical perspective is not a luxury; it\u2019s a necessity.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s\u00a0Liberal empire may be poised to fall, but the more important issue is the growing disconnect between the leadership of all parties and the public\u2019s needs and aspirations. Political responses too often lack coherence, prioritizing gains in short-term electoral cycles over long-term solutions.<\/p>\n

History reminds us that leadership must balance immediate action with foresight, building trust and resilience within institutions that serve all citizens. The next government, likely a Conservative one, would be wise to heed these lessons from the past.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Theodore Christou, Professor of Education History at Queen’s University, and Louis Volante, Professor of Educational Studies at Brock University, recently published a piece in The Conversation about how Roman history offers insights into the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":98313,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[40,6],"tags":[6805,32,98,3028,5512],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98306"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98306"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98315,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98306\/revisions\/98315"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}