I believe we are currently entering the Fourth Turning.

The "Fourth Turning" refers to the Crisis, the fourth and final stage in an approximately 80-year cycle of American history, according to the generational theory of Strauss-Howe, as outlined in their books "The Fourth Turning" and "The Fourth Turning Is Here." This phase, compared to winter, is a period of social, political, and economic upheaval where old institutions are dismantled and new ones are forged through conflicts and threats to the nation's survival, culminating in a social reorganization and a new sense of community identity.

The Four Turnings

The Strauss-Howe theory describes a cycle of "turnings," comparable to the four seasons, that repeat approximately every 80 years:

High: An era of prosperity and strong institutions, similar to summer.

Awakening: A period of spiritual and cultural awakening, comparable to spring.

Unraveling: An era of questioning and institutional decay, similar to autumn.

Crisis (The Fourth Turning): A period of great turmoil, conflict, and profound social change, like winter.

Characteristics of the Fourth Turning

Existential Crisis: A perceived threat to the nation's survival.

Conflict and Disorder: Increased polarization, conflicts, and the disintegration of old institutions.

Reconstruction: The conflicts of the crisis lead to the destruction of weak institutions and the creation of new, strengthened ones.

End of the Cycle: The Crisis culminates in a restructuring of society, establishing a new order for a future "High."

Current Context

According to the theory and Howe's analysis, America is currently in the middle of a Fourth Turning that began around 2008. This period is characterized by global challenges, socioeconomic disorder, and the weakening of institutions. This time of crisis is seen as a necessary event for society to regenerate and define new values for the future.