Decline and fall

I am reading Gibbon's Decline and fall of the Roman empire at the moment. It is interesting, intelligently written and full of magnificent quotations. So here are a few on governance...

That public virtue which among the ancients was denominated patriotism, is derived from a strong sense of our own interest in the preservation and prosperity of the free government of which we are members.

But the zeal of fanaticism prevailed over the cold and feeble efforts of policy.

Under a democratical government, the citizens exercise the powers of sovereignty

The principles of a free constitution are irrevocably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

I think these have relevance in today's political climate.