Many of the institutions and pillars of our modern, western society have their roots far back in history. They are the legacies of empires past, most particularly the British Empire and the Roman Empire. Yet it is almost taken for granted now that the great institutions and keystones of the West — parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, the power of trade and markets, universities, free speech and protections against government tyranny — are in decline. Some are now arguing that the US — perhaps the greatest modern empire — is in decline along with it’s institutions. That it too may fall as the Romans did or watch its influence wane away. This session will explore the twin themes of decline and fall. We will look at evidence from the US, the UK and Australia on the health of our institutions. We will ask if the West, as represented by the US, is indeed in terminal decline. Are our institutions doomed to fail? We will examine what historical lessons we might learn from the decline and fall of empire, perhaps even whether we can Make America, and the West, Great Again.