Social collapse follows a four-act structure: a breach of norms, a widening crisis, an attempt at redress (healing), and finally either reintegration or a permanent schism. This theory suggests the most devastating societal fractures are not caused by external enemies but from internal conflicts that spiral out of control when leaders fail to perform reparative rituals.
Societal healing from major breaches requires more than symbolic acts. The incomplete nature of post-Civil War Reconstruction and the controversial pardon of Nixon demonstrate that unresolved historical grievances don't disappear; they fester and re-emerge, infecting contemporary politics and eroding institutional trust for generations.
The root of political decay isn't a lack of capable leaders, but a systemic failure to hold them accountable. The current system incentivizes corruption, demonization, and the violation of norms because there are no meaningful repercussions. This reframes the problem from a search for better individuals to a need for systemic reform that enforces consequences for bad behavior.
When politicians from both parties achieve investment returns massively outpacing the S&P 500, it signals a systemic, bipartisan problem of self-enrichment, not a partisan issue. This behavior, effectively insider trading, erodes public trust and is a primary reason why Congressional approval ratings are abysmal.