> An interesting factoid from the Roman Empire is that in their later years there was a major fertility collapse to the point that various laws were passed in order to try to motivate fertility in various ways, and they ultimately failed.

The same thing happened (declining fertility rates) between WW1 and WW2, which I found interesting. Also a time of great wealth inequality and economic dislocation.

Another thing I got from the same book (Dark Continent) was that pre-Nazi Germany was basically being run by the equivalent of executive orders due to political polarisation and deadlock in the Parliament. Definite vibes of modern US in that statement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Continent:_Europe%27s_Twe...