Social Cycle Theory

First published: 2005

Brief summary

Reference overview of classical and modern social-cycle theories.

Article

Social cycle theory is a broad family of theories proposing that social institutions, political arrangements or historical conditions recur in recognisable sequences. It contrasts with strictly linear accounts in which societies move continuously toward a unique later stage.

Early versions include classical Greek theories of recurring forms of government. Plato and Polybius described sequences in which one political order changes into another, while later writers developed cyclical interpretations of states, cultures and civilisations.

Modern approaches include political-demographic cycles, long economic waves, secular-cycle models and generational theories. These traditions differ substantially in their proposed mechanisms, timescales, evidence and definitions of recurrence.

A cyclical interpretation does not necessarily deny technological or social change, because recurring political or demographic processes may occur within a society that is changing in other respects. Social-cycle theories remain diverse, and their empirical support must be evaluated separately rather than treated as a single established model.

Source details and credits

• Source / publisher: Wikipedia
• Source type: Reference article
• URL type: WWW
• Credits: Wikipedia
• URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_cycle_theory