The Strauss-Howe generational theory proposes that American and Western history follows a recurring cycle of generations and societal moods:Generational Cycle: The theory suggests that history is shaped by a cycle of four generational archetypes (Prophet, Nomad, Hero, and Artist) and four recurring mood eras, called "turnings" (High, Awakening, Unraveling, and Crisis).Generations: A generation is defined as a group of people born over a span of roughly 21 years, who share similar experiences growing up and coming of age, leading to common beliefs, behaviors, and a sense of perceived membership. Generations are shaped by the eras they encounter as children and young adults.Turnings:High: A period after a crisis where institutions are strong, and individualism is weak. Society is confident about its collective direction.Awakening: An era when institutions are attacked in the name of personal and spiritual autonomy, and people seek "self-awareness" and "authenticity".Unraveling: A period where institutions are weak and distrusted, and individualism is strong.Crisis: A period of destruction, often involving war or revolution, where institutions are rebuilt in response to a perceived threat to national survival.Saeculum: Four turnings make up a full cycle of approximately 85 years, called a saeculum, which represents a long human life. Each turning lasts about 21 years.Archetypes:Prophet (Idealist): Grows up during a High, comes of age during an Awakening, focuses on morals in midlife, and guides another Crisis as elders. Examples include the Transcendental Generation, Missionary Generation, and Baby Boomers.Nomad (Reactive): Grows up during an Awakening, comes of age as alienated young adults, becomes pragmatic leaders during a Crisis, and becomes resilient elders. Examples include the Gilded Generation, Lost Generation, and Generation X.Hero (Civic): Grows up during an Unraveling, comes of age as team-oriented optimists during a Crisis, becomes energetic mid-lifers, and ages into powerful elders. Examples include the Republican Generation, G.I. Generation, and Millennials.Artist (Adaptive): Grows up during a Crisis, comes of age as conformist young adults, becomes a process-oriented leader during an Awakening, and becomes thoughtful elders. Examples include the Progressive Generation, Silent Generation, and Homeland Generation.Dominant vs. Recessive Generations: A generation's role in defining an era depends on whether they came of age during a Crisis or Awakening. Dominant generations, like Prophets and Heroes, have independent behavior, while recessive generations, like Nomads and Artists, have a dependent role in defining an era.Historical Application: Strauss and Howe have applied this theory to Anglo-American history, describing a sequence of generations and turnings since 1433. They suggest that each generation's experiences shape its collective persona and that these generational shifts drive the cycle of turnings.Criticisms: The theory has faced criticism for being overly deterministic, unfalsifiable, and lacking rigorous empirical evidence. Some critics argue that it stereotypes individuals and ignores other social groupings such as class, race, and sex. Despite criticisms, the theory has been influential in fields like generational studies, marketing, and business management.

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