End Times
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 1,363 ratings, 193 reviews)
End Times
End Times by Peter Turchin offers a revolutionary examination of the cycles of history and their impact on modern society. Delving into the intricate patterns of political instability, social upheaval, and the rise and fall of elites, Turchin provides an unprecedented analysis of why societies thrive or collapse. This meticulous exploration not only looks into the past but also provides crucial insights into our present and future, proposing ways to avert impending crises by learning from historical precedents.
For decades, complexity scientist Peter Turchin has been charting global history with a level of precision unparalleled in the field. He has spent years assembling vast databases that encompass 10,000 years of human activity, using these extensive records to develop innovative models of societal behaviour. His work has transformed the way historians and scientists understand and interpret historical data.
The culmination of his extensive research, End Times, is a ground-breaking account of societal mechanics and patterns. Turchin's findings reveal that when the balance of power tips excessively in favour of the ruling class, income inequality surges, creating a chasm between the wealthy and the impoverished. This inequality fuels frustration and unrest as more individuals aspire to elite status and become disillusioned with the establishment.
Drawing on historical examples, Turchin argues that "elite overproduction" - a surplus of elites competing for power and resources - has historically led to the collapse of states. He illustrates this with compelling case studies from imperial China, medieval France, and the era leading to the American Civil War, among others. These historical parallels provide a stark warning: we are currently on a similar path to violent political rupture.
However, End Times is not purely a narrative of doom. Turchin also offers hope, suggesting that understanding these patterns equips us with the knowledge to avert catastrophic outcomes. By learning from historical episodes where the balance of power was successfully restored, he points the way towards a brighter, more equitable future, offering strategies to break free from the destructive cycles of the past.
Written with analytical rigour and profound insight, End Times is a seminal work for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of societal change and the factors that drive political and social instability. Turchin’s masterful synthesis of historical data and modern complexity science provides both a cautionary tale and a roadmap for a more sustainable and just society.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780141999289
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 07 March 2024
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 18.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 269g
Pages: 368
About the Author
Peter Turchin is Project Leader at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna, Research Associate at University of Oxford, and Emeritus Professor at the University of Connecticut. Trained as a theoretical biologist, he is now working in the field of historical social science that he and his colleagues call Cliodynamics. Currently his main research effort is directed at coordinating CrisisDB, a massive historical database of societies sliding into a crisis - and then emerging from it. His books include Ultrasociety and Ages of Discord.
More from Politics & Current Affairs
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Pick Ups
We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.