I haven't given up yet. I still believe generational cycles are an important element of historical analysis. Too many scholars, working in different disciplines have noted it: in economics, Kondratieff (and the current generation of K-cycle scholars), in domestic politics, Schlesinger (and the current generation of political cycle scholars), in international relations, Wright (and the current generations of scholars in this tradition), Mannheim and his heirs (S&H) in sociology, and now Turchin in new field of cliodynamics.
I no longer think that the S&H cycle can serve as a useful organizing framework for this sort of analysis. Like the others, it offers its own "take" on events, but it's view is no longer foremost in my thinking.
I no longer think that the S&H cycle can serve as a useful organizing framework for this sort of analysis. Like the others, it offers its own "take" on events, but it's view is no longer foremost in my thinking.