Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast How can societal collapses of the past guide us in these uncertain times
May 21, 2025
Luke Kemp, a research affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, dives into societal collapses throughout history. He reveals how the rise of civilizations often stems from domination and exploitation, leading to their eventual downfall. The discussion highlights the lifespan of states, typically around 326 years, and stresses the need for democratic institutions and wealth equality for resilience. Kemp advocates for collective decision-making to tackle urgent issues like climate change while addressing how interconnectedness and systemic inequalities play a role in potential global crises.
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Origins of Civilization and States
- Civilization often arises from domination and exploitation rather than benevolent coordination.
- States frequently form where resources can be easily stored and controlled with weapons monopolized by a small group.
Violence Is Often Power Struggles
- Early humans were not particularly violent, living in egalitarian hunting-gathering societies.
- Violence in state collapse is often power struggles among a small group, not societal breakdown into chaos.
The Collapse of Cahokia City
- Cahokia, a large North American city, collapsed around 1000 years ago due to drought and other factors.
- The city was abandoned permanently with no oral memory, illustrating a rare, enduring societal collapse.
