Current Events Remind Us That Civilization Is Fragile

A Centuries-Long Perspective Suggests Some Instability Is Inevitable

Events since 2016 have reinforced the notion that civilization is fragile. In June of that year, the United Kingdom voted narrowly to leave the European Union, creating prolonged chaos. Later analysis suggested the voters didn’t understand what they were doing and had been greatly manipulated by a prolonged, sophisticated campaign by Russia to undermine…