The First Turning

The First Turning is a period of 'High' following the last crisis period. It is full of confidence in the current moral order and is led by the heroes. The last 'High' was the postwar consensus era of the 1950s and early-'60s.

The Second Turning

The Second Turning is a period of 'Awakening' following the last high period. It questions the established order, and provides a spiritual and moral critique of it. It is typically led by young prophets and weakly resisted by the artists. The last 'Awakening' was the 'consciousness revolution' of the '60s and '70s.

The Third Turning

The Third Turning is a period of 'Unraveling' which follows the last awakening period. It is a period of institutional decay, the consequence of the awakening, and precipitations a crisis. It is usually marked by deep, polarizing cultural conflict. The last 'Unraveling'...