Discussing: Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse by Luke Kemp
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Totnes Left Book Club – August Weds 19th 7pm - Hosted by Alim
Book: Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse by Luke Kemp
Why do societies collapse? Is it climate change, war and resource depletion, or are these symptoms of something deeper?
In Goliath’s Curse, Cambridge researcher Luke Kemp draws on thousands of years of history to argue that collapse follows recognisable patterns. Across hundreds of societies, he finds recurring themes including extreme inequality, concentrated wealth and power, ecological overshoot, political capture by elites, and institutions that become increasingly unable to respond to crises.
Rather than seeing history as a story of inevitable progress, Kemp asks us to rethink what civilisation is, who it serves, and why so many powerful states eventually become brittle and fail. His work raises profound questions about capitalism, democracy, empire, climate change, technology, and whether a more equal and genuinely democratic society might also be a more resilient one.
Whether you agree with Kemp’s conclusions or not, this is one of the most ambitious and thought provoking books to appear in recent years, bringing together archaeology, anthropology, history, economics and complexity science to examine both the rise and fall of past societies, and what that might mean for our own.
As always, there is no expectation that you’ve finished the book, or even started it. If you’re interested in discussing these ideas, you’re very welcome.
Want to get up to speed without reading the whole book?
Luke Kemp gave an excellent interview on The Great Simplification podcast with Nate Hagens, where he explores the book’s central arguments:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-great-simplification-with-nate-hagens/id1604218333?i=1000728213839
And if you’d like a concise introduction first, Damian Carrington’s review in The Guardian is well worth reading:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/02/self-termination-history-and-future-of-societal-collapse
We look forward to another lively, respectful and wide ranging discussion. New members are always welcome.
Book: Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse by Luke Kemp
Why do societies collapse? Is it climate change, war and resource depletion, or are these symptoms of something deeper?
In Goliath’s Curse, Cambridge researcher Luke Kemp draws on thousands of years of history to argue that collapse follows recognisable patterns. Across hundreds of societies, he finds recurring themes including extreme inequality, concentrated wealth and power, ecological overshoot, political capture by elites, and institutions that become increasingly unable to respond to crises.
Rather than seeing history as a story of inevitable progress, Kemp asks us to rethink what civilisation is, who it serves, and why so many powerful states eventually become brittle and fail. His work raises profound questions about capitalism, democracy, empire, climate change, technology, and whether a more equal and genuinely democratic society might also be a more resilient one.
Whether you agree with Kemp’s conclusions or not, this is one of the most ambitious and thought provoking books to appear in recent years, bringing together archaeology, anthropology, history, economics and complexity science to examine both the rise and fall of past societies, and what that might mean for our own.
As always, there is no expectation that you’ve finished the book, or even started it. If you’re interested in discussing these ideas, you’re very welcome.
Want to get up to speed without reading the whole book?
Luke Kemp gave an excellent interview on The Great Simplification podcast with Nate Hagens, where he explores the book’s central arguments:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-great-simplification-with-nate-hagens/id1604218333?i=1000728213839
And if you’d like a concise introduction first, Damian Carrington’s review in The Guardian is well worth reading:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/02/self-termination-history-and-future-of-societal-collapse
We look forward to another lively, respectful and wide ranging discussion. New members are always welcome.
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Where is it happening?
The Bay Horse Inn, Totnes, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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