EPISODE · Dec 27, 2025 · 1H
Episode 717: PETER TURCHIN-The historical forces that explain Trump & what needs to change
from Free Forum with Terrence McNally · host Terrence McNally
As one year ends and another begins, many pause to look backward and forward. We’ll do that on a deep historical scale with today’s guest, PETER TURCHIN, author of END TIMES. In 2010, when Nature magazine asked for a ten-year forecast, he predicted that America was in a spiral of social disintegration that would lead to collapse of the political order. “Political breakdown, from the Roman Empire to the Russian revolution, follows a clear pattern: workers’ wages stagnate while elites multiply.” This echoes Plato’s assertion that democracy inevitably leads to tyranny - the rich always want to get richer and the poor will follow a demagogue who promises to overthrow the rich. You can learn more at peterturchin.com. Turchin-10-01-2025-Transcript
What this episode covers
As one year ends and another begins, many pause to look backward and forward. We’ll do that on a deep historical scale with today’s guest, PETER TURCHIN, author of END TIMES. In 2010, when Nature magazine asked for a ten-year forecast, he predicted that America was in a spiral of social disintegration that would lead to collapse of the political order. “Political breakdown, from the Roman Empire to the Russian revolution, follows a clear pattern: workers’ wages stagnate while elites multiply.” This echoes Plato’s assertion that democracy inevitably leads to tyranny - the rich always want to get richer and the poor will follow a demagogue who promises to overthrow the rich. You can learn more at peterturchin.com. Turchin-10-01-2025-Transcript
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Episode 717: PETER TURCHIN-The historical forces that explain Trump & what needs to change
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