I am pausing to reflect on the fickle fate of kings as I prepare to unleash the French Revolution in my undergraduate civilization class next semester. January anniversaries present an interesting study of both the pomp and fragility of power. Few occasions can compete with American presidential inaugurations for extravagant displays of pomp and circumstance. With Joe Biden’s victory last week, we will witness once again, this January 20th, the peaceful transition of power from one party to another, which has been one of the perpetual strengths of American democracy....