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The Art of Manliness · July 26, 2023 · 62m
Neil Howe on the Fourth Turning and Cyclical History
Neil Howe presents his theory that American history moves in 80-100 year cycles, with each cycle ending in a 'Fourth Turning' crisis (Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWII, and now...). We are in the crisis period now.
Canon
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Howe describes how each generational archetype looks to previous generations' heroes for models: today's young men look to WWII veterans and Founding Fathers for models of civic virtue and sacrifice.
Highlights
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History is cyclical, not linear — the same generational dynamics produce similar crises roughly every 80 years
Howe presents data showing that roughly every 80-100 years, a crisis period reshapes American institutions: the Revolution (1770s), Civil War (1860s), Depression/WWII (1930s-40s), and the current crisis (2020s).