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.

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