Evidence from archaeology increasingly shows that five factors have almost invariably been involved in the collapse of civilisations: uncontrollable population movements; new epidemic diseases; failing states leading to increased warfare; collapse of trade routes leading to famine; and climate change. In this presentation for the World Economic Forum, Ian Morris – Willard Professor of Classics and Professor of History at Stanford University – asks if these five factors should also concern us today.

http://www.weforum.org/