How to Reduce a Great Empire to a Small One: An 18th-Century Guide to Self-Destruction

An 18th-century satirical essay outlines twenty methods for dismantling a vast empire. These include alienating colonies, appointing corrupt officials, suppressing dissent, misusing taxes, and generally exacerbating tensions. The essay uses biting irony to illustrate how abuses of power can lead to an empire's downfall, a warning that remains relevant today.