The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America's Next Rendezvous with Destiny

by William Strauss

As empathic Artists replace Heroes in elderhood, they quicken the pace of social change, shunning the old order in favor of complexity and sensitivity. Entering old age, Artists remain as other-directed as before—institutionally flexible, culturally sensitive, and committed to process and expertise. They seldom produce strong, decisive leaders. Just as they once took cues from Hero elders, they now adopt the agenda of younger Prophets while wishing to be accepted as full partners in the new values regime. Tolerant of diversity and discord, elder Artists generally accept (even celebrate) centrifugal social forces. Hesitant to impose their judgment, they prefer to let events take their course—sometimes regretting the consequences. Frustrated yet resilient, old Artists retain their sentimentalism, social conscience, and liberal belief in second chances.