Disruption: Why Things Change

The book explores how radical change always begins with ideas that took shape on the fringes, challenging the mainstream's conservative ideology. It examines historical disruptions such as the rise of Christianity, Islam, Protestant reformations, the Age of Revolution, and Bolshevism and Nazism, showing how they took advantage of challenges to the social order. An epilogue helps situate contemporary disruptions in the wider historical forces surveyed.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 192 pages
\n Publication date: 11 November 2021
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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The question of how things change is of paramount importance in the historical study of any era, but it becomes even more crucial in the contemporary context as Western democracies face significant challenges to the fundamental principles of their social contracts. These challenges arise from forces that promote ideas that were once considered fringe and unconventional. This book makes a compelling argument that radical change always originates from ideas that emerge on the periphery of society. Throughout history, the mainstream has tended to be conservative, favoring incremental change while preserving its dominant power structures. The dominant ideology serves as a justification for existing relationships, perpetuating the status quo. In this comprehensive exploration of radical change across Western history, David Potter demonstrates how ideologies that arise in opposition to those supporting the status quo are employed to bring about profound transformations in political structures. These changes, in turn, reshape the way social relations are constructed. It is important to note that not all radical groups are identical, and they all leverage challenges that have already shaken the social order. They capitalize on mistakes that question the effectiveness of existing institutions. The necessary conditions for radical changes in direction arise from a unique combination of an alternative ideological system and a period of community distress. The historical disruptions documented in this book, such as the rise of Christianity, Islam, Protestant reformations, the Age of Revolution (American and French), and Bolshevism and Nazism, provide valuable insights into when the preconditions exist for radical shifts in the social and political order. As Disruption illustrates, not all radical change follows the paths predicted by its original proponents.

The historical disruptions chronicled in this book, such as the rise of Christianity, Islam, Protestant reformations, the Age of Revolution (American and French), and Bolshevism and Nazism, provide valuable insights into when the preconditions exist for radical shifts in the social and political order. As Disruption illustrates, not all radical change follows the paths predicted by its original proponents.

In conclusion, the question of how things change is a fundamental and urgent concern for our times. This book offers a compelling perspective that radical change always begins with ideas that emerge on the periphery of society. By exploring the historical disruptions documented in this book, we gain a deeper understanding of the conditions that facilitate radical changes in direction and the pathways they may take. As we navigate the complexities of our contemporary world, it is essential to be aware of the potential for transformative ideas and to be open to the possibilities of change.

\n Weight: 472g\n
Dimension: 149 x 217 x 32 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780197518823\n \n