Of History: The Lessons

Civilizations are not permanent. They are born, grow, flourish, and eventually decay. This decay usually happens from within—through the loss of social cohesion, moral decay, or the failure of leadership—before a physical "conquest" from the outside finishes the job. Conclusion: What is Progress?

Wealth concentration is inevitable in any society because of the natural inequality of human ability. The Durants observe that history follows a cycle: Wealth concentrates until it becomes untenable.

Life is a struggle for resources. Peace is only a temporary unstable equilibrium.

The authors argue that history is a biological process. We are subject to the same laws as other organisms:

Redistribution occurs, either through (reform) or revolution (violence).