David Motadel explores the concept of historical inflection points, where major events irreversibly reshape societies. He argues that such turning points are often symptoms of deeper structural transformations and that addressing today’s crises requires understanding and resolving their root causes—a process that unfolds over decades rather than in singular, defining moments.
Are we at a turning point in world history? Read More »
This article examines the concept of polycrisis, focusing on its key characteristics—feedback loops, blurred boundaries, and complex interconnections. It offers practical guidance for practitioners, highlighting the need for adaptive risk management, resilient response frameworks, and attention to the psychological impact of prolonged crises.
What is a Polycrisis and what is the Impact on Business Continuity Practitioners? Read More »
The authors explore the complexities of the Syrian revolution within the broader context of the global polycrisis, emphasizing the interconnected social, political, and environmental factors that fueled its trajectory.
How the Syrian Revolution Started Over 14 Years Ago – and Why It isn’t Really Over Yet Read More »
Jesse Damiani analyzes the Los Angeles fires, emphasizing their devastating impact on the city’s infrastructure and communities. He argues that these types of unprecedented weather events are symptoms of a broader “ecological overshoot,” which he identifies as the primary driver of a state of collapse. Damiani also explores strategies for resilience and adaptation to navigate
Adam Tooze explores the concept of polycrisis as a framework for understanding the complex and interconnected challenges we face in the modern era. He critiques the reliance on traditional social theories from the 20th century, arguing that they often underestimate the unprecedented scale and speed of contemporary issues. Tooze emphasizes the value of the concept
Chartbook 343 : Polycrisis & the Critique of Capitalocentrism Read More »
In this article, Jürgen Scheffran explores the escalating global polycrisis arguing that current governance systems are failing to prevent catastrophic tipping points in the Earth system. He emphasizes the urgency of shifting from reactive measures to proactive strategies that foster “positive tipping points,” such as the rapid adoption of renewable energy and sustainable food systems.
Ways Out of the Polycrisis Read More »
Adam Tooze examines the stagnation in global poverty reduction, emphasizing the challenges of a polycrisis context. He highlights that, after significant declines, progress in reducing absolute poverty has stalled, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the number of people living in absolute poverty has surged.
Chartbook 330: Africa & Absolute Poverty in an Era of Polycrisis. Read More »
Jeremy Brecher examines how the era of neoliberal globalization, which initially facilitated economic growth in developing nations through global trade and investment, is now giving way to a polycrisis marked by escalating global inequality and poverty.
Inequality and the Polycrisis Read More »
In this article, Richard Heinberg discusses why cascading disruptions of environmental and political systems are entangled and mutually reinforcing. He also attempts to identify the next stages of global collapse and explore options for individuals and communities to survive while minimizing harm and suffering.
Environmental-Political Collapse Accelerates Read More »
The author explores the concept of polycrisis, arguing that multiple crises expose the limits of industrial and colonial worldviews, which oversimplify complex systems into controllable models. The author proposes an adaptive political economy that embraces complexity, values local knowledge, and fosters decentralized innovation, advocating for dynamic, bottom-up processes driven by experimentation and collaboration.
Doing Development in the Polycrisis Read More »
