Is Society About to Collapse?

Dan Snow interviews Dr. Luke Kemp, author of "Goliath's Curse," about the history and future of societal collapse. Kemp argues that civilizations, or "Goliaths," are inherently prone to collapse due to growing inequality and violence resulting from hierarchical structures. He contrasts this with egalitarian societies, citing examples like the Indus Valley Civilization and Teotihuacan, which lacked rulers and showed signs of communal living. Kemp suggests that agriculture, specifically the cultivation of easily stored grains, contributed to the rise of elites and inequality. He also touches on the psychological factors, such as the authoritarian impulse and the dark triad traits, that drive individuals to seek power and domination. The conversation explores whether technology and progress necessarily improve quality of life, and proposes citizen assemblies as a way to democratize decision-making and mitigate the risks of societal collapse.