In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, Robert Morris and Ruairí dive into Escape from Rome: The Failure of Empire and the Road to Prosperity by Walter Scheidel. Rob, a huge fan of the book, explains Scheidel’s provocative thesis: the fall of the Roman Empire wasn’t a tragedy, but the key that unlocked Europe’s path to innovation, capitalism, and modern prosperity.
They explore why Europe’s fragmentation led to competition and freedom, while powerful empires elsewhere — from China to the Middle East — followed very different historical paths. Along the way, they discuss empire, state collapse, economic growth, and what lessons history offers for today’s global order.
If you’re interested in Roman history, world history, China’s empire, the rise of Europe, or the roots of modern prosperity, this conversation will give you new insights into how freedom and competition shaped our world.
🔗 Escape from Rome (Princeton University Press) — https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691172187/escape-from-rome
