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#134 Classic episode – Ian Morris on what big-picture history teaches us

80,000 Hours Podcast

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Interplay of Agency and Structure in History

This chapter explores the dynamic relationship between individual actions and larger structural forces that shape historical events. Through the lens of pivotal figures like Adolf Hitler, Stalin, and the context of the Axial Age, it examines how personal agency can influence trajectories while also considering the systemic factors at play. Ultimately, it emphasizes the intricate balance between individual choices and broader societal patterns in understanding the complexities of history.

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