In this article, Yuen Yuen Ang introduces the concept of polytunity as a counter-narrative to the prevailing discourse of polycrisis. Rather than viewing overlapping global disruptions as signs of inevitable collapse, Ang argues they present a rare opportunity for systemic transformation. She critiques the Western-centric framing of global challenges and calls for a new paradigm […]
The Global Polytunity Read More »
The author examines the mathematical and systemic nature of civilizational collapse, tracing how societies both ancient and modern follow what he calls the “Seneca Cliff”: a slow ascent of growth and complexity followed by a rapid, self-reinforcing decline. Drawing on complexity theory, systems dynamics, and historical examples such as the Roman Empire, the Maya, and
The Steepness of the Slope Read More »
The author examines the trajectory of global capitalist civilization through the lens of systemic collapse, drawing on historical analogies, ecological constraints, and geopolitical scenarios. He argues against binary scenarios of either total cooperation or complete breakdown, proposing instead that collapse is a complex and multidimensional process. The article highlights how capitalism’s internal contradictions, ecological overshoot,
How and when will our civilization die? Read More »
In this article, Edgar Morin and Claudio Pedretti revisit the concept of polycrisis, arguing that what Morin first introduced in 1999 as a warning has now become our lived reality: a convergence of ecological, political, economic, technological, and existential crises that reinforce one another in cascading, non-linear ways. They show how climate change, inequality, nationalism,
The Polycrisis Demands a Renewed Humanism Read More »
In Chartbook 407, Adam Tooze revisits the concept of polycrisis, examining how overlapping economic, geopolitical, environmental, and social disruptions interact to amplify systemic fragility. He questions whether the world has moved beyond what he terms the Neoliberal Order Breakdown Syndrome, and whether we are witnessing the end of the neoliberal era or merely its transformation.
Chartbook 407: Polycrisis Revisited: Are we beyond Neoliberal Order Breakdown Syndrome? Read More »
Michel Rauchs examines the interlinked environmental, economic, and social crises confronting contemporary society, arguing that these challenges constitute a broader metacrisis rooted in systemic flaws of our dominant institutions and growth-driven economic models. While traditional state and market responses have largely failed to address these issues holistically, Rauchs suggests that widespread disillusionment may signal a
We’re Surrounded by Crises. What’s Stopping Us from Acting? Read More »
This article argues how fossil fuels are both the main driver of the polycrisis and a significant barrier to effective climate action. It highlights how the global economy’s dependence on oil, gas, and coal not only fuels climate change but also reinforces political inertia through industry influence, misinformation campaigns, and lobbying efforts. The article underscores
Fossil Fuels as the Cause of the Global Polycrisis Read More »
In this article, Henry Farrell explores the collision between the polycrisis and the omnishambles, a term for political and bureaucratic dysfunction. Farrell argues that while government regulation traditionally acts as a stabilizing force against financial and systemic risks, the dismantling of administrative capacity under Trump’s second term risks amplifying instability instead of containing it. Drawing
When the Polycrisis Hits the Omnishambles, What Comes Next? Read More »
The author explores the concepts of systemic risk, polycrisis, and catastrophic risk, explaining how interconnected failures can cascade across diverse systems, threatening global stability. He emphasizes how systemic risk and polycrisis expose both the vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities of our global systems. The article illustrates that while a single failure can trigger widespread collapse, history
Systemic Risk and the Polycrisis Read More »
The author explores the ongoing instability in the United States and its global repercussions, framing 2025 as a year of escalating crises. From geopolitical tensions to tech transfers, mineral extraction, and climate disasters, these disruptions underscore a broader shift in global power dynamics. While the U.S. pursues isolationist and authoritarian policies, other nations are working
