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Theory of Social Revolutions

Theory of Social Revolutions

Brooks Adams 24 Episodes Aug 24, 2026

This podcast explores the ideas of historian Brooks Adams, who argued that commercial civilizations rise and fall in predictable cycles. Adams contended that as societies urbanize and prioritize wealth, they abandon spiritual and creative values, leading to distrust, dishonesty, and eventual collapse. The focus is on his 1913 work The Theory of Social Revolutions, drawing on earlier writings such as The Law of Civilisation and Decay and America's Economic Supremacy. The narrative traces historical shifts in global trade centers and applies Adams's critique to modern capitalism. It offers a historical and philosophical examination of societal decline and renewal.

Episodes

Labor and Freedom-Eugene V. Debs
Labor and Freedom-Eugene V. Debs Aug 24, 2026 17937 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Two Tactics of Social-Democracy in the Democratic Revolution-Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
Two Tactics of Social-Democracy in the Democratic Revolution-Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Aug 23, 2026 23458 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Reflections on War and Death-Sigmund Freud
Reflections on War and Death-Sigmund Freud Aug 22, 2026 4529 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
War of the Worlds-H. G. Wells
War of the Worlds-H. G. Wells Aug 21, 2026 24214 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Machine Stops-E. M. Forster
Machine Stops-E. M. Forster Aug 20, 2026 4343 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
No Animal Food and Nutrition and Diet with Vegetable Recipes-Rupert H. Wheldon
No Animal Food and Nutrition and Diet with Vegetable Recipes-Rupert H. Wheldon Aug 19, 2026 13121 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Old Regime and the Revolution-Alexis de Tocqueville
Old Regime and the Revolution-Alexis de Tocqueville Aug 18, 2026 26061 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Two American Slavery Documents-American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, James Mars
Two American Slavery Documents-American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, James Mars Aug 17, 2026 6694 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Meditations from the Pen of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart-Maria W. Stewart
Meditations from the Pen of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart-Maria W. Stewart Aug 16, 2026 14113 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Anarchism and Other Essays-Emma Goldman
Anarchism and Other Essays-Emma Goldman Aug 15, 2026 25027 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2-Niccolò Machiavelli
Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2-Niccolò Machiavelli Aug 11, 2026 16762 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th
Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, December 1827-Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, December 1827-Commissioner of Indian Affairs Aug 10, 2026 10230 Delve into the insights of Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an influential American historian and a vocal critic of capitalism. Adams proposed that commercial civilizations experience predictable cycles of rise and fall. He argued that as populations cluster in large urban centers and engage in commercial pursuits, their insatiable thirst for wealth leads them to forsake spiritual and creative values. Th

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