How Republics End - Paul Krugman

'Republican institutions don’t protect against tyranny when powerful people start defying political norms. And tyranny, when it comes, can flourish even while maintaining a republican facade. The tale of how the Roman Republic fell resonates today. Roman politics involved fierce competition among ambitious men. But for centuries that competition was constrained by some seemingly unbreakable rules: However important it was for an individual to win fame and add to his and his family’s reputation, this should always be subordinated to the good of the Republic' No disappointed Roman politician sought the aid of a foreign power.” But now we have a president-elect who openly asked Russia to help smear his opponent, and all indications are that the bulk of his party was and is just fine with that. And what happens to the republic as a result?'