I would argue the republic was lost 50ish years after the constitution was ratified when owning property was no longer a requirement to vote for the majority of voters.
The death spiral of paupers voting themselves benefits paid for by the productive class, and the descent into kleptocracy, was inevitable after that.
I would argue the republic was lost 50ish years after the constitution was ratified when owning property was no longer a requirement to vote for the majority of voters.
The death spiral of paupers voting themselves benefits paid for by the productive class, and the descent into kleptocracy, was inevitable after that.