What do you guys think of elite over production theory?
If you've never heard of it, it goes a bit like this:
Social unrest occurs during a period of economic stagnation following a period of economic growth. In this juncture, a coming-of-age generation achieved an education and expected to join the ranks of the elite or upper middle class. When reality hits them in the face, they encounter economic hardship, and their hopes fail to materialize, they turn to radical left wing politics. But, in effect, they seek to take out the old elite in order to make room for themselves.
A much more detailed summary can be found here:
https://noahpinion.substack.com/p/the-elite-overproduction-hypothesisTo me, it seems plausible. Interestingly, it also comports with the theory of the causal factors of revolution laid out by John Foran in 'Taking Power' (which you should read if you don't want to be a psued all your life).
<Tldr: a bunch of reasonably smart and creative people develop their minds but have no outlet through which to socially/economically succeed with it. As a response, they turn to leftist politics and hope to 'overthrown heaven,' to make use of a Chinese term.Pic related is Chou En Lai
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