The Theory of Social Revolutions

Brooks Adams (1848-1927), was an American historian and a critic of capitalism. He believed that commercial civilizations rise and fall in predictable cycles. First, masses of people draw together in large population centers and engage in commercial activities. As their desire for wealth grows, they discard spiritual and creative values. Their greed leads to distrust and dishonesty, and eventually the society crumbles. In The Law of Civilisation and Decay (1895), Adams noted that as new population centers emerged in the west, centers of world trade shifted from Constantinople to Venice to Amsterdam to London. He predicted in America’s Economic Supremacy (1900) that New York would become the centre for world trade. The Theory of Social Revolutions was written in 1913. (Wikipedia) (5 hr 1 min)

Chapters

Prefatory note & THE COLLAPSE OF CAPITALISTIC GOVERNMENT	49:22	Read by Nathalie J.
THE LIMITATIONS OF THE JUDICIAL FUNCTION	59:11	Read by Nathalie J.
AMERICAN COURTS AS LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS	1:08:33	Read by Nathalie J.
THE SOCIAL EQUILIBRIUM	35:46	Read by Nathalie J.
POLITICAL COURTS	54:48	Read by Nathalie J.
INFERENCES	33:28	Read by Nathalie J.

Reviews

Very Dry

(3 stars)

Angels Walk

I wonder what Mr. Adams would have to say about our capitalist society of today? Especially our technology! And our current Presidential campaign? (written 9-3-2016). I'd listen to this LibriVox Volunteer reader the phone book. She's tremendous.....

(5 stars)

steve boda

honey thank you so much for being a reader you are the best reader ever I would listen to the worst book just hear you read it I mean that with all my heart