Damac quotes a 1973 book that featured some ominous observations concerning societal decline and fall.
The book “The Tenth Generation” George E Mendenhall (1973) is well worth studying in the light of the present historical circumstances. It is an analysis of the rise and fall of civilizations and kingdoms based on the history of the nation of Israel in the Bible. The thesis is that on average, nations only have a life of about 300 years, ten generations, and then they are destroyed from within. This conclusion was based on a study of I think 21 ancient civilizations, some of which, like the Hittites, vanished from the pages of history until exhumed by archaeologists like Mendenhall. He summarizes his findings as follows:
“The Tenth Generation witnessed and took part in the destruction of civilization. It seems possible — both from direct historical evidence and by analogy with later periods of crisis which seem to be similar in other respects – to make some generalizations about that Tenth Generation.”
- it is not characterized by poverty.
- it is characterized by a relatively high density of population…
- a breakdown in confidence in the existing social and political organization.
- a rejection of past ideologies and a desire for something new.
- there is a loss of sense of direction.
- an increasing resort to illegitimate force and violence, which is almost inevitable following the loss of confidence in the political organization which by definition is the “monopoly of force.”
- the increased insecurity of everyone in the areas is deeply felt, and there may be a sense of foreboding, of impending doom.
- Doom comes: by whatever agency is perhaps by now irrelevant. The political, social, and economic structures of society are destroyed or enormously weakened – usually by violence, either from within, or without. Society simply disintegrates.
- deurbanization takes place. Cities are abandoned…a high percentage of the population lose their lives and what we call civilization – writing, art …wealth, literature,…institutionalized religion – either cease to exist, or disappear…”
I find the deurbanization element to be particularly significant, as the almost-instinctive desire to get out of the cities I’ve been observing among savvier people all over the world for the last ten years tend to fly in the face of the economic and social impulses that continue to draw young people into the cities like sacrifices to Moloch.