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

by William Strauss

As conformist Artists replace Heroes in young adulthood, they become sensitive helpmates, lending their expertise and cooperation to an era of growing social calm. An Artist generation comes of age just as the post-Crisis social order is solidifying. With little room to maneuver, they embark early on prosperous and secure life paths. They learn to excel at satisfying expectations and assisting the Heroes’ grand constructions. As they infuse the culture with new vitality, they probe cautiously for a more inwardly fulfilling role. This effort leads to a cult of professional expertise (refining the Heroes’ outer-world achievements) and to critical gestures of conscience and feeling (exposing the Heroes’ inner-world limitations).