Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

Quick Facts: Who was Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed?

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Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

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Analysis of historical societal collapse, focusing on environmental and political failure.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (titled Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive for the British edition) is a 2005 book by academic and popular science author Jared Diamond, in which the author first defines collapse: "a drastic decrease in human population size and/or political/economic/social complexity, over a considerable area, for an extended time." He then reviews the causes of historical and pre-historical instances of societal collapse—particularly those involving significant influences from environmental changes, the effects of climate change, hostile neighbors, trade partners, and the society's response to the foregoing four challenges.

Career & Major Achievements

It also considers why societies might not perceive a problem, might not decide to attempt a solution, and why an attempted solution might fail.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

While the bulk of the book is concerned with the demise of these historical civilizations, Diamond also argues that humanity collectively faces, on a much larger scale, many of the same issues, with possibly catastrophic near-future consequences to many of the world's populations.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2005: 2005 Milestone — Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (titled Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive for the British edition) is a 2005 book by academic and popular science author Jared Diamond, in which the author first defines collapse: "a drastic decrease in human population size and/or political/economic/social complexity, over a considerable area, for an extended time.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

True or False: “The primary cause of historical societal collapse is always a combination of climate change and hostile neighbors.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While climate change and hostile neighbors are major factors, the book argues that the society's own failure to adapt or respond is often the most critical element.

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