What is the main conflict in Generations by Neil Howe?

Crises are mentioned as a correlation between recurring generational cyles. Major events throughout our history, with only one exception, have occurred during specific generational lineups. Secular crises have included the Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the combined Depression/World War II event. All but the Civil War occurred during the same constellational lineup, with Idealists entering elderhood and Civics coming of age. The Civil War was early, and, because of this, ended badly. Likewise, the five spiritual awakening eras, beginning with the Puritans in the 1630's, began as Civics were entering elderhood and Idealists were moving into rising adulthood. This correlation of lineups and events allows at least a generalized prediction of the times and types of social moments to occur in the future. Further, this insight allows a far more extensive and in-depth merger of two separate approaches to a study of history. One approach studies generations as separate entities without analysis of the order of generations and their critical interrelationships. By adding the second approach, that of analyzing the age location of each generation, and thus the impact of generational lineup, historical patterns become far more clear.