>>Because of the way humans learn and adapt, newer generations have generally been smarter and more efficient than prior generations, and therefore have more wealth (wealth being spare resources) at their disposal.
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>Only in the very very long term. Look what was possible in the roman empire. And what followed that.

The roman empire gave great chances for those milking the system while in power - today frowned upon if proven, typically only an option in regimes following a leader person able to influence / block others from replacing him. The risks of loosing life in the process higher in roman times.

>For now we can only see a general decline in the general development.