Compare this 4T to others

[sbarrera]

I had started a thread earlier about comparing this 4T (in the U.S) to others, but it has mysteriously disappeared. So here is another one.

In the original thread, I kicked off with a comparison to the French Revolution inspired by seeing the play Marie Antoinnette. I realize this is comparing a 4T in France to a 4T in the U.S., but consider that the French Revolution is a kind of gold standard for a Fourth Turning. France was overtly attempting to reformat their society, to pull, or push themselves, as it were, through the gates of history. Here is a list of similarities that pop out based on my knowledge:

• The political extreme locked out the centrists (left vs. right originated in this time)
  
• Political correctness was enforced (with the guillotine then, with the hashtag now)
  
• There was an attempt to erase the past culturally, including changing public space (today we take down Confederate statues, then they attempted to eradicate the Church)
  
• Fake news was rampant (rumors spread via word of mouth and pamphlets then instead of digital memes, but they had the same effect of inciting people with false information)
  

Now going back to the Glorious Revolution, there is a compelling comparison.

• The leader of the country was in the thrall of a foreign power that was an ideological enemy (then, it was James II under the thumb of King Louis XIV of France, now it is President Trump under the thumb of Vladimir Putin)
  
• The country had a sense of identity crisis, a need to assert its true identity and rid itself of the contaminating influence (then it was Protestant England attempting to assert itself, now it is Progressive America)
  

For the Civil War, there is the 1850s redux scenario (Eric the Green likes this one). We have even labelled the current 4T the Cold Civil War in some discussions.

• The country was, as now, split into two irreconcilable sides.
  
• There was a collapse of civility between the two sides.
  

Finally, the Depression Era (1930s) 4T comparisons. These are often made by Neil Howe in recent interviews.

• The rise of populism and authoritarianism globally, including in the U.S.
  
• The collapse of global alliances and return to nationalism
  
• Low fertility rates
  
• Falling homeownership rates and return to multigenerational households
  
• Economic insecurity and inequality
  

Possibly some of these really apply to all 4Ts. History as it unfolds rhyming with the past.