Strauss–Howe generational theory

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Strauss–Howe generational theory

The Strauss–Howe generational theory, also known as the Fourth Turning theory, is a social theory created by authors William Strauss and Neil Howe. The theory describes a recurring cycle of generations in American history, each lasting around 20-22 years, which they call a "turning." These turnings repeat sequentially in a fixed pattern, forming a larger cyclical unit called a "saeculum," which spans approximately 80-90 years.

Overview

The theory identifies four types of generational archetypes that repeat sequentially:

• Prophet (Idealist) – Born during a High, they grow up as the increasingly indulged children of a post-Crisis world, come of age as the self-absorbed young crusaders of a Spiritual Awakening, focus on morals and principles in midlife, and emerge as wise elders guiding the next Crisis.
• Nomad (Reactive) – Born during an Awakening, they grow up as under-protected children during a Spiritual Awakening, come of age as the alienated young adults of a post-Awakening world, become pragmatic midlife leaders during a Crisis, and age into resilient elders.
• Hero (Civic) – Born during an Unraveling, they grow up as increasingly protected children of a post-Awakening world, come of age as the heroic young team workers of a Crisis, emerge as energetic, overly-confident midlifers, and age into powerful elders attacked by the next Awakening.
• Artist (Adaptive) – Born during a Crisis, they grow up as overprotected children during a Crisis, come of age as the sensitive young adults of a post-Crisis world, become the conformist midlife leaders during an Awakening, and age into thoughtful elders.

Turnings

Each saeculum consists of four turnings:

• High – A period of strong institutions and weak individualism, when society is confident about where it wants to go collectively, even as those outside the majoritarian center feel stifled by the conformity.
• Awakening – A period when institutions are attacked in the name of personal and spiritual autonomy. Just when society is reaching its high tide of public progress, people suddenly tire of social discipline and want to recapture a sense of personal authenticity.
• Unraveling – A period of weak institutions and strong individualism, when the old civic order decays and the new values regime implants. The mood of this era is similar to the mood of the previous Awakening, but the focus is on the individual rather than the collective.
• Crisis – A period when institutional life is destroyed and rebuilt in response to a perceived threat to the nation's survival. Civic authority revives, cultural expression redirects towards community purpose, and people begin to locate themselves as members of a larger group.

Historical Examples

Strauss and Howe identify several historical cycles in American history, including:

• The Colonial Cycle (1584–1704)
• The Revolutionary Cycle (1704–1794)
• The Civil War Cycle (1794–1865)
• The Great Power Cycle (1865–1946)
• The Millennial Cycle (1946–2026)

Criticism

The theory has been criticized for its determinism, lack of empirical evidence, and the broad generalizations it makes about generations. Critics argue that the theory oversimplifies complex social dynamics and historical events.

Related Pages

• William Strauss
• Neil Howe
• Generational theory
• Social cycle theory
• American history