Predicting Moments of Revolution and Violence in History

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Elite overproduction and mass emiseration are key predictors of moments of revolution or violence in history. Elite overproduction leads to frustrated elites vying for limited positions, while mass emiseration, increasing poverty and poor living conditions, fuels frustration in the populace. Frustrated elites, recognizing injustice, can leverage the energy of the frustrated masses to bring about major changes in the system.

On this episode, Nate is joined by Ashley Hodgson, a professor in behavioral economics, where she offers a perspective on the superorganism and what she calls ‘The New Enlightenment’. By taking a wide-lens look at the way our human systems work, we can see the incentives and structures that push power towards consumptive, short-sighted, and destructive pathways. How could we ‘rejigger’ these systems to be more aligned with values and goals conducive to supporting humans long into the future? What are the natural laws that inherently depreciate systems - and how might we think about counteracting them? As we enter a world where the perpetual growth we’ve come to expect is no longer possible, how can we lean into the creativity and ingenuity required when thinking about new economic paradigms?

About Ashley Hodgson

Ashley Hodgson is an Associate Professor of Economics and a YouTuber. She teaches Behavioral Economics, Digital Industries, Health Care Economics, and Blockchain Economics. Her YouTube channel, The New Enlightenment, explores topics related to economics, governance, and epistemics – that is, the determination of truth and validity – in a world of social media and increasing power concentration.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lEUhSSl83-Y

Show notes, and find out more: https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/109-ashley-hodgson