End Times
Elites, Counter-Elites and the Path of Political Disintegration
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd
Published:7th Mar '24
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In End Times, Peter Turchin examines the dynamics of societal power and the consequences of inequality, offering insights into potential futures.
In End Times, complexity scientist Peter Turchin delves into the intricate dynamics of societal structures and the underlying forces that drive political turbulence. By examining over 10,000 years of human history through vast databases, Turchin offers a fresh perspective on how power dynamics shift and the consequences that follow. His research reveals that when the balance of power tilts too far in favor of elites, income inequality escalates, leading to societal unrest and potential breakdown. The book draws parallels between historical events, such as the fall of imperial China and the American Civil War, illustrating how elite overproduction can precipitate crises.
Turchin's work is not merely a retrospective analysis; it also serves as a cautionary tale for contemporary society. The author argues that we are at a critical juncture where the frustrations of the majority could lead to significant upheaval. However, End Times does not solely focus on the grim realities of societal collapse. Instead, it highlights moments in history where balance was restored, offering hope for a different future. Turchin emphasizes that understanding these patterns can provide valuable insights into how we might avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Ultimately, End Times is a thought-provoking exploration of the forces that shape our world. It challenges readers to reflect on the current state of societal dynamics and consider the implications of unchecked power. Turchin’s innovative approach to historical analysis is both enlightening and essential for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of modern society.
The book that most opinion formers will be forming opinions about * The Times and Sunday Times, Best Books for Summer *
A pre-eminent digital-age seer. . . Turchin set out to discover statistical patterns in the great flood of historical data that might predict future instabilities in societies. . . a great collected narrative of human hope and human failure -- Tim Adams * Observer *
From the man who predicted the rise of Trump - or someone very like him - a remarkably clear, data-driven explanation of why societies fall into crisis, and how to engineer a soft landing * Guardian Summer Reading *
A compelling analysis of why societies fail. . . Turchin's theory represents the most persuasive analysis of the historical forces assailing society in the present -- James Marriott * The Times *
The future-gazing guru I find the most intriguing is a former biologist called Peter Turchin who calls this decade 'the turbulent twenties'. . . He is a complexity scientist who has many fans among rich and powerful people -- Helen Lewis * BBC Radio 4 *
Extraordinary. . . Turchin is a practitioner of "cliodynamics," an ambitious attempt to apply complexity theory and much else to human history. End Times is the culmination of many years of highly original and innovative work -- Niall Ferguson * Bloomberg *
Peter Turchin is among the most important writers for explaining why everything seems so unstable now. It's the end of a cycle. . . Essential reading -- Jonathan Haidt
Why is the world gripped by revolutions and civil wars? This provocative book blames the elites - we just have too many of them now * Sunday Times *
It would be foolish for US leaders to ignore Turchin. If nothing else, the concept of elite overproduction is a good way to explain why elite education is now so costly, competitive and damaging for would-be elite kids and adults alike -- Gillian Tett * Financial Times *
Across the west, popular misery and 'elite overproduction' are fuelling crisis, argues data-driven historian Peter Turchin. . . he provides a clear theory about how we got into this mess, and how to get out of it -- David Shariatmadari * Guardian *
ISBN: 9780141999289
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 20mm
Weight: 269g
368 pages