The Revolt Against Civilization

'The Revolt Against Civilization' is a provocative examination of the factors leading to social decline and the perceived threats to Western progress during the early twentieth century. Written by Lothrop Stoddard, a prominent historian and sociologist, the work explores the intersection of biology and social structure, arguing that the stability of any civilization depends upon the inherent quality of its population. Stoddard introduces the concept of the 'under-man,' describing individuals who feel alienated by the complexities of modern society and who consequently join radical movements to dismantle established institutions. Focusing on the post-World War I era, the book analyzes the rise of revolutionary ideologies like Bolshevism and anarchism, interpreting them as biological revolts against the burden of civilization. Stoddard advocates for the application of eugenics and social selection as essential measures to prevent what he describes as the 'iron law of inequality' from resulting in total societal collapse. This work stands as a significant document in the intellectual history of social Darwinism and racialist thought. 'The Revolt Against Civilization' provides critical insight into the anxieties of the interwar period, offering a complex, albeit controversial, perspective on the evolution of social philosophy and the challenges of maintaining a high-functioning society.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.