End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites and the Path of Political Disintegration

In End Times, complexity scientist Peter Turchin presents a groundbreaking theory on how societies function and why they break down. By analyzing vast historical data spanning 10,000 years, Turchin examines the cyclical nature of power, focusing on the delicate balance between elites and the broader population.

Turchin argues that when elites gain too much power and income inequality skyrockets, the result is political turbulence and social unrest. The frustration of the majority—who are increasingly excluded from the elite—often leads to violent breakdowns, as seen in historical events like the fall of imperial China, medieval France, and the American Civil War. Today, we are witnessing similar patterns unfolding.

However, the book offers hope. Turchin also explores instances where society has successfully corrected its course, offering insights into how we can restore balance and avoid catastrophic political disintegration. End Times provides both a sobering warning and a path forward, proposing ways to break free from the cycles of history and chart a more stable future.