citing “history of the entire world, i guess” i recall China having been broken many many times over the centuries of its ancient existence.

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Not really tbh. Historical context is very important here. Colonial America had about 1/3 patriots, 1/3 loyalists, and 1/3 neutral during the Revolution. Really not much has changed, even down to regional demographics. Large nations also tend to gain their size from the subjugation of its neighbors, which breeds discontent for decades to centuries. Even past Rome, other great empires stood for extended lengths of time like the Byzantines and Ottomans

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