Chapter 12, The Eternal Return Summary and Analysis

Americans must understand the time is not linear; instead, it is cyclical, and the cycle is beginning anew. The next cycle could bring anything major, the end of mankind, or modernity, or the United States, or the end of a prosperous American and even a much better world. If we weather our Fourth Turning well, much of the world may follow us.

The authors argue that we should not feel limited by the Fourth Turning. It is an opportunity for victory and great deeds. So long as we avoid linear thinking, we will avoid seeing history as inevitable progress (which will disappoint) or as inevitable decline (where we would miss opportunities for accomplishment). We are all part of a vast reach of time and cultural memory extends a saeculum backward and a saeculum forward. What...